Main Street Competes Act
Floor Speech
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8882) to amend the Small Business Economic Policy Act of 1980 to examine how the competitiveness of small businesses is affected by the enforcement of Federal antitrust laws, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 8882
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Main Street Competes Act''. SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL DECLARATION OF SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC POLICY.
Section 302(a) of the Small Business Economic Policy Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 631a(a)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and provide'' and inserting ``provide''; and
(2) by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and promote competitive markets, consumer choice, and business ownership through enforcement of Federal antitrust laws in the case of anticompetitive conduct and illegal mergers that harms small businesses and the growth of small businesses.''. SEC. 3. STATE OF SMALL BUSINESSES.
(a) In General.--Section 303 of the Small Business Economic Policy Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 631b) is amended to read as follows: ``SEC. 303. REPORT ON THE STATE OF SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS.
``(a) Specified Entity Report.--Not later than 180 days after the end of the fiscal year in which the Main Street Competes Act is enacted, and every two fiscal years thereafter, the head of each specified entity shall submit to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration a report including--
``(1) an analysis of how enforcement by the specified entity of Federal antitrust laws promoted competition during the preceding fiscal year by deterring and remedying anticompetitive conduct, including illegal mergers, that harms small businesses and the growth of small businesses;
``(2) the number of complaints of alleged antitrust violations filed by self-identified small businesses with the specified entity during such fiscal year, disaggregated by type of offense and the specific Federal antitrust laws allegedly violated;
``(3) the number of inquiries, investigations, and enforcement actions undertaken by the specified entity in response to complaints filed by small businesses with the specified entity during such fiscal year; and
``(4) the number of inquiries, investigations, and enforcement actions undertaken by the specified entity during such fiscal year pursuant to an alleged antitrust violation, opened for a reason other than a complaint filed by a small business as described in paragraph (3), to deter and remedy anticompetitive conduct that harms small businesses and the growth of small businesses.
``(b) Office of Advocacy Report.--Not later than 180 days after receipt of the report required by subsection (a), the Chief Counsel for Advocacy shall submit to the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of Senate a report that includes--
``(1) a summary of the report submitted under subsection (a);
``(2) an analysis of the data in such report, disaggregated by industry category;
``(3) an evaluation of the issues identified in such report relating to--
``(A) anticompetitive conduct, including illegal mergers, that harmed small businesses and the growth of small businesses; and
``(B) administrative actions that promoted competition and growth of small businesses;
``(4) as appropriate, recommendations for administrative actions that could--
``(A) promote competition;
``(B) deter anticompetitive conduct, including illegal mergers, that harmed small business and the growth of small businesses; and
``(C) remedy such anticompetitive conduct; and
``(5) as appropriate, recommendations for legislative actions that could--
``(A) promote competition;
``(B) deter anticompetitive conduct, including illegal mergers, that harmed small business and the growth of small businesses; and
``(C) remedy such anticompetitive conduct.''.
(b) Definitions.--The Small Business Economic Policy Act of 1980 (Public Law 96-302; 94 Stat. 848; 15 U.S.C. 631a et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section: ``SEC. 304. DEFINITIONS.
``In this title:
``(1) Antitrust violation.--The term `antitrust violation' means any violation of Federal antitrust laws.
``(2) Federal antitrust laws.--The term `Federal antitrust laws' has the meaning given the term `antitrust laws' in subsection (a) of the first section of the Clayton Act (15 U.S.C. 12(a)), except that such term shall also include section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45) to the extent that such section 5 applies to unfair methods of competition.
``(3) Small business.--The term `small business' has the meaning given the term `small business concern' under section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632).
``(4) Specified entity.--The term `specified entity' means--
``(A) the Department of Justice; and
``(B) the Federal Trade Commission.''.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 8882, the Main Street Competes Act, introduced by my good friend Representative Scholten from the great State of Michigan and Representative Schmidt from the great State of Kansas.
Competition is fundamental in the free market and especially in this economy. Without robust competition, businesses have little incentive to innovate, weakening the U.S. economy. If competition is weak, innovation and the U.S. economy suffer.
H.R. 8882, the Main Street Competes Act, reinforces the SBA's mission to preserve free and fair competition and strengthen the American economy. This bill requires the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to share data with SBA Office of Advocacy regarding antitrust complaints, investigations, and enforcement actions involving small businesses.
The bill further directs the Office of Advocacy to analyze these trends and provide recommendations to Congress on how to improve competition and address harmful anticompetitive conduct impacting small businesses.
This is a targeted, data-driven approach to better understand competitive pressures in the marketplace and to assess whether existing antitrust enforcement is effectively protecting small businesses.
Importantly, this legislation does not create new regulatory burdens or expand Federal authority. By improving transparency and strengthening oversight, this bill ensures policymakers have the information needed to support a competitive marketplace here where Main Street businesses can grow, compete, and succeed.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 8882, and I reserve the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, we must pass H.R. 8882 to help ensure small businesses remain competitive. This legislation will help us identify barriers to growth and ways to improve access. I reserve the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 8882 because it promotes a stronger, more competitive environment for the Main Street of America and businesses to succeed and create jobs. I yield back the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source