Main Street Alliance Supports Updated Merger Guidelines

Main Street Alliance Executive Director Chanda Causer recently submitted a comment supporting the updated merger guidelines proposed by the Federal Trade Commission and the US Department of Justice. MSA joined the American Economic Liberties Project and other partners for a recent event with Federal Trade Commission Chair Khan and Assistant Attorney General Kanter to highlight their importance. Watch the event here. Read our letter of support for this action below: 

On behalf of Main Street Alliance (MSA) and the Small Business Rising coalition, I am writing to support the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice's proposed updates to our federal merger guidelines. 

Unchecked corporate power is accelerating many industries' monopolization and stacking the deck against Main Street. Small business owners deserve an opportunity to compete fairly. We champion the merger guidelines because it reinforces Main Street businesses' right to economic prosperity and equity. 

Implementing the draft guidelines will help bring enforcement closer to the scope and purpose of antitrust law. Further, the merger guidelines will contribute to our judicial system having a more faithful set of guidelines to interpret the law. The result will be a fairer playing field for small businesses, more significant opportunities for entrepreneurs to innovate and compete, and an eventual shift to thriving, competitive markets.  

An MSA member in rural Maryland recently described their experience as a small business owner in a town dominated by 'Big Box' stores. Walmart and Amazon dominate and have displaced small businesses in the community. As a result, resources are leaving to go to those companies instead of staying in the community.

Main Street Alliance is eager to see the updated merger guidelines, ensuring we enforce our antitrust laws and that workers and small businesses are centered in decision-making instead of large, unaccountable corporations.

Read more about the FTC and DOJ Draft Merger Guidelines.