The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) virtually cohosted the inaugural public meeting of the Strike Force on Unfair and Illegal Pricing to discuss enforcement actions aimed at reducing prices for Americans.
FTC Chair Lina M. Khan, DOJ Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin Mizer, Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter, and Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton, along with other agencies on the Strike Force, convened to highlight various enforcement actions.
FTC Chair Lina M. Khan discussed recent efforts to stop corporate lawbreaking that raises prices for Americans. These include uncovering evidence of corporate conduct that may increase gas prices, working to lower asthma inhaler costs to $35 out-of-pocket, and making it easier for consumers to cancel unwanted online subscriptions. Khan announced plans to request a Commission inquiry into grocery prices to investigate tactics used by large grocery chains.
DOJ Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin Mizer outlined efforts to address unlawful behavior affecting grocery, transportation, and healthcare prices. Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter highlighted Antitrust Division staff's actions in higher education, housing, transportation, food, agriculture, live music, healthcare, and other industries. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton emphasized the Civil Division’s work against fraudulent pricing schemes involving government agencies and financial institutions.
USDA Deputy Secretary Torres Small spoke about tackling food and agricultural pricing challenges through an investigative study on retail concentration and modernizing the Packers & Stockyards Act rulebook. HHS Deputy Secretary Andrea Palm addressed efforts to make healthcare affordable and transparent by increasing competition and lowering prescription drug prices.
DOT Acting General Counsel Subash Iyer discussed protecting airline passengers from unfair practices such as family seating fees. SEC Chair Gary Gensler described addressing unfair business practices in securities markets through transparency-promoting rulemaking projects.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel highlighted new rules slashing rates incarcerated individuals pay for communication services. CFPB Director Rohit Chopra focused on junk fees in school lunches and mortgage closing costs while scrutinizing private equity investors' role in price gouging.
In March 2024 at the sixth White House Competition Council meeting, President Biden announced the Strike Force launch to strengthen interagency efforts against illegal corporate behavior raising American families' costs through anti-competitive or deceptive practices.
The FTC continues its mission to promote competition while protecting consumers from fraud or deceptive practices.
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