Press Releases
Lee and Klobuchar Statement on SABMiller Acquisition by Anheuser-Busch Inbev
Oct 14, 2015
WASHINGTON—Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, issued the following statements today regarding Anheuser-Busch Inbev’s proposal to purchase SABMiller for over $103 billion.
“The proposed acquisition of SABMiller by Anheuser-Busch Inbev announced today, if consummated, would rank among the five largest mergers in history and consolidate approximately 70 percent of the U.S. beer market,” Lee said. "A deal of this size and scope demands close scrutiny of its impact on competition. In addition to the thorough review I expect this deal to receive from the agencies, should the parties reach a final agreement, the Antitrust Subcommittee will also be looking closely into how the merger may affect consumers and the marketplace.”
“The U.S. beer market is a $100 billion a year industry and Anheuser-Busch Inbev’s proposed acquisition of SABMiller raises important antitrust concerns,” Klobuchar said. “The merger could have negative consequences for consumers, including increased cost, and could deprive our thriving craft and independent brewers of distribution channels critical for reaching retail customers. The Antitrust Subcommittee must provide oversight and examine this deal closely.”
“The proposed acquisition of SABMiller by Anheuser-Busch Inbev announced today, if consummated, would rank among the five largest mergers in history and consolidate approximately 70 percent of the U.S. beer market,” Lee said. "A deal of this size and scope demands close scrutiny of its impact on competition. In addition to the thorough review I expect this deal to receive from the agencies, should the parties reach a final agreement, the Antitrust Subcommittee will also be looking closely into how the merger may affect consumers and the marketplace.”
“The U.S. beer market is a $100 billion a year industry and Anheuser-Busch Inbev’s proposed acquisition of SABMiller raises important antitrust concerns,” Klobuchar said. “The merger could have negative consequences for consumers, including increased cost, and could deprive our thriving craft and independent brewers of distribution channels critical for reaching retail customers. The Antitrust Subcommittee must provide oversight and examine this deal closely.”
Senator Lee Responds to Suspension of Syrian Rebels Training Program
Oct 9, 2015
Lee, a member of the Senate Armed Serviced Committee (SASC), has been critical of this program since its inception and has closely monitored its implementation and results over the past year.
Lee Holds Hearing On SMARTER Act
Oct 7, 2015
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) chaired a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights hearing today, examining the impact on the Standard Merger and Acquisition Reviews Through Equal Rules Act, or the SMARTER Act.
Lee, Manchin, Murphy, Udall Call for an End to the Failed Syria Train and Equip Program
Oct 2, 2015
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) Joe Manchin (D-WV), Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Tom Udall (D-NM) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Defense Secretary Ash Carter, U.S. Department of State Secretary John Kerry and Central Intelligence Agency Director John Brennan urging them to end the Syria Train and Equip Program – an unsuccessful effort to train and equip Syrian opposition fighters – which has endangered Americans and further escalated conflict in the region.
Senators Introduce Landmark Bipartisan Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015
Oct 1, 2015
WASHINGTON – A bipartisan group of senators led by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley and Assistant Democratic Leader Dick Durbin today is introducing comprehensive legislation aimed at recalibrating prison sentences for certain drug offenders, targeting violent criminals, and granting judges greater discretion at sentencing for lower-level drug crimes.
Lee, Grassley, Hatch Introduce FTC Reform Bill
Sep 30, 2015
Today, Senators Mike Lee (R-UT), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) introduced the Standard Merger and Acquisition Reviews Through Equal Rules Act (SMARTER Act). This legislation reforms and modernizes the application of our antitrust laws by harmonizing the rules governing how the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) review proposed mergers and acquisitions.
Lee Introduces National Labor Relations Board Reform Bill
Sep 28, 2015
WASHINGTON – Today, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced legislation that would strip the National Labor Relations Board of its power to prosecute and adjudicate labor disputes. The “Protecting American Jobs Act” would transfer the power to hear labor disputes to federal courts. The NLRB would retain the power to conduct investigations, but would not be allowed to prosecute them.
Lee Delivers Tribute to Elder Scott on Senate Floor
Sep 24, 2015
WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) delivered a tribute to the late Elder Richard G. Scott on the Senate Floor. The speech was deilvered at approximately 11:20 a.m. MT on C-SPAN2.
Lee Investigates Health Insurance Mergers
Sep 22, 2015
WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) chaired a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights hearing today, examining the impact of recent health insurance company mergers on consumers.
Sen. Lee Commends DOJ for Rigorous Review of Expedia-Orbitz Merger, Promises Continued Oversight of Competition for Travel Services
Sep 18, 2015
WASHINGTON—Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) today issued the following statement regarding the Department of Justice’s approval of the Expedia-Orbitz merger:
“I thank the Department of Justice for conducting a rigorous and thorough review of the merger between Expedia and Orbitz, two of the most popular online travel booking websites. The Department concluded that the deal is unlikely to result in new charges to consumers or higher commissions from airlines and hotels. It also observed that the travel booking marketplace is “rapidly evolving” and experiencing new entry. For these reasons, it found that the merger will not lessen competition. I appreciate this thoughtful analysis and look forward to continuing to monitor competition in the travel industry to ensure that consumers are benefitting from vigorous competition.”
“I thank the Department of Justice for conducting a rigorous and thorough review of the merger between Expedia and Orbitz, two of the most popular online travel booking websites. The Department concluded that the deal is unlikely to result in new charges to consumers or higher commissions from airlines and hotels. It also observed that the travel booking marketplace is “rapidly evolving” and experiencing new entry. For these reasons, it found that the merger will not lessen competition. I appreciate this thoughtful analysis and look forward to continuing to monitor competition in the travel industry to ensure that consumers are benefitting from vigorous competition.”
