Main Street Competes Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. SCHOLTEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend, Chairman Williams, for his assistance in getting this bill to the floor. It means so much to me.

As an attorney, I have to say this might be one of the easiest debates I have ever participated in. I think we are all in agreement that this is an essential bill for this moment in America.

Small businesses are the foundation of our economy, but too often they are left to compete against a handful of large corporations, a real David and Goliath situation. Our Nation's antitrust laws exist for the purpose of helping to level the playing field, not giving anyone a special step up, but leveling the playing field for entrepreneurs.

As costs continue to rise and practices, like predatory pricing, threaten businesses across industries, it is clear that we have to do more to keep markets fair and competitive.

When industry consolidation goes too far, innovation is stifled and small businesses struggle to compete. The truth is that we all end up paying the price for unfair, monopolistic conduct. It is time for Congress to act. This is the job that the people have entrusted us with.

My bill would direct the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy to work with the FTC and DOJ to examine the gaps in our antitrust laws. We can't fix a problem that we don't understand. This bill will help us ensure that we have the information we need to boost competition in every industry.

I include in the Record a letter of support. Main Street, Competition Coalition, June 23, 2026.

Members of Congress: On behalf of thousands of Main Street businesses and agricultural producers across the United States, the Main Street Competition Coalition writes to express our support for the Main Street Competes Act.

This bipartisan legislation, introduced by Reps. Derek Schmidt (KS-02) and Hillary Scholten (MI-03), would refocus the Small Business Administration on promoting competitive markets, enhancing consumer choice, and encouraging business ownership.

The Main Street Competition Coalition represents a diverse group of Main Street businesses and agricultural producers dedicated to revitalizing and reforming the antitrust laws. We support antitrust policies that establish a level playing held for businesses and consumers alike. Our primary objective is to promote competition so consumers have real choices.

Rigorous enforcement of U.S. antitrust laws is critical to preserving competitive markets empowering small businesses to compete, and preventing dominant players from undermining competition and free enterprise.

The Main Street Competes Act would empower the Small Business Administration to evaluate the effectiveness of antitrust law enforcement in maintaining a competitive landscape for small businesses. We respectfully request that members of the House of Representatives vote YES on the legislation when it comes to a vote. Sincerely, The Main Street Competition Coalition.

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Ms. SCHOLTEN. Mr. Speaker, as the voice for Main Street in our Federal Government, the Office of Advocacy is uniquely equipped to bring small businesses to the forefront of antitrust issues.

My bill will ensure that the Office of Advocacy is in lockstep with our Nation's top antitrust enforcement agencies, enhancing collaboration and bringing a unified response to monopolistic practices. It will also require the Office of Advocacy to submit a report to Congress, detailing antitrust violations reported by small businesses, so the people, through their Representatives, can have ready access to this information, as well.

If we want to build an economy that creates opportunity for everyone, we need Main Street at the table. My bill will do just that.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Kansas, Mr. Schmidt, again, for working with me on this legislation. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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