House Judiciary Committee Republicans backtracked on a plan Wednesday to centralize all antitrust activities within the Justice Department as they debate their portion of the party-line megabill.
“The amendment also removes the section that would consolidate antitrust enforcement authorities and resources in the DOJ antitrust division,” House Judiciary Chair Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) said at the markup, as he announced his amended version of the package.
This is a significant reversal after the GOP majority sought to yank antitrust responsibilities from the Federal Trade Commission, a move long sought by conservatives. The attempt to enact the change via the megabill was one of the most promising chances for Republicans to deliver on President Donald Trump’s agenda this Congress.
Democrats and some conservative antitrust proponents criticized the proposed consolidation of antitrust powers.
No reason for the reversal was immediately available. Jordan’s office did not immediately respond to questions.
The markup of the Judiciary Committee’s section of the megabill is ongoing, and committees of jurisdiction will continue to mark up their portions of the package over the coming weeks.
