WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Mike Lee announced that he will chair the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, with Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) as the Ranking Member. 

"This important subcommittee ensures that our nation’s antitrust laws are faithfully executed and that, above all, consumers are protected through proper congressional oversight of the free-market competition that generates economic growth and sustains consumer welfare," said Lee.  "My goal is to protect the free market as place where competition can thrive, ideas can flourish, regulatory costs are limited, and consumers are the final arbiters of who wins and loses.  For the past two years, Senator Klobuchar and I have had a productive bipartisan working relationship and I am certain we will continue making progress in the same way.  I look forward to continuing our good work."

“Our economy is strongest when we look out for consumers, promote innovation, and ensure our businesses are competing on a fair and level playing field,” Klobuchar said. “Senator Lee and I have worked together on the Antitrust Subcommittee to protect consumers and support innovation in our economy, and I’m looking forward to continuing that important work in the new Congress.” 

Senators Lee and Klobuchar said that this Congress the Subcommittee will continue the Subcommittee’s oversight of antitrust enforcement at the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission, as well as examine important developments in competition policy and proposed reforms to our antitrust laws.  The Subcommittee will also continue its work investigating the state of competition in a variety of industries—including the Internet sharing economy, music performance licenses, online and television media and video services, wireless and broadband connections, prescription drugs, and many others.  The Senators said they will continue to help ensure that competition thrives, our antitrust laws are sound, and consumer welfare remains protected.