Byron Dorgan: “The proposed merger between AT&T and BellSouth is controversial. The proposal should trigger a serious evaluation by…”

“The proposed merger between AT&T and BellSouth is controversial. The proposal should trigger a serious evaluation by both the Justice Department and the Federal Communications Commission. A recent column in the March 20 issue of Business Week by Leo Hindery caught my eye, and I want to share it with my colleagues. I don't necessarily share all of his conclusions, but I think his perspective is an interesting one. I hope that others will weigh in as we try to make a judgment about whether this proposed merger is in the interest of the American people. For me, it remains an open question whether this merger should be allowed. In the meantime, it is useful to hear many different perspectives about it and I wanted to share Leo Hindery's column with my colleagues. I ask unanimous consent to print the column in the Record. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: [From Business Week, Mar. 20, 2006] IdeasOutside Shot (By Leo Hindery Jr.) Watch This Hookup Closely. Who says you can't put Humpty Dumpty together again? With AT&T's acquisition of BellSouth, Ma Bell will (almost) be back. The stated justifications for this huge new merger are to save $2 billion a year in expenses on a $120 billion combined revenue base and, says Chief Executive Edward E.…”