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Obama Antitrust Chief Gets Tough on Big Biz

In reversal of Bush policy, the DOJ will aggressively enforce anti-monopoly laws

By Clay Dillow,  Newser Staff

Posted May 11, 2009 8:47 AM CDT

(Newser) – The Obama administration’s top antitrust official plans to aggressively pursue a tougher enforcement policy to keep large corporations from dominating smaller rivals, the New York Times reports. In speeches today and tomorrow, Justice Department antitrust chief Christine Varney will announce the reversal of lax Bush-era antitrust policies, and encourage small businesses to bring complaints forward.

During the Bush administration, the Justice Department didn’t file a single case against a dominant firm for violating anti-monopoly laws, as policies in place favored the defendants. Varney will refute the idea that during recessions government should take a passive approach to antitrust enforcement, taking aim at agriculture, health care, energy, and technology firms—and possibly reviewing the conduct of some in the financial sector.

President Obama's DOJ antitrust chief will actively pursue companies that dominate their smaller rivals.
President Obama's DOJ antitrust chief will actively pursue companies that dominate their smaller rivals.   (AP Photo)
President Obama's antitrust chief is getting tough on large companies that push around their smaller competition.
President Obama's antitrust chief is getting tough on large companies that push around their smaller competition.   (AP Photo)
Under President Bush, the DOJ didn't file a single case against a larger corporation for violation of antitrust laws.
Under President Bush, the DOJ didn't file a single case against a larger corporation for violation of antitrust laws.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
justme
May 12, 2009 12:45 PM CDT
Great news for who? Regulate business, yes. Decide who survives and who goes bankrupt? That's the job of the capitalist system, not the government.
Robert_Dada
May 11, 2009 10:00 AM CDT
This is great news!
Doctor-Zaius
May 11, 2009 1:54 AM CDT
About time.

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