Sheila Jackson Lee: “I thank the chairman and sponsors of the bill for their hard work. Let me say, the reason is obvious why I rise in…”

“I thank the chairman and sponsors of the bill for their hard work. Let me say, the reason is obvious why I rise in support of H.R. 3843, the Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act of 2022. Does anybody know the word ``consumers''? Do I need to spell it out on the floor of the House? Ultimately, mergers, in many instances, have a detrimental impact on consumers, either by way of cost or loss of services. Read the history books. Does anybody know that in years past there were opportunities for many, many flights across America? The aviation industry has been changed by mergers. That is a prime example. This particular legislation updates the filing fees that merging parties may pay to the Federal antitrust enforcers. It requires merging parties to disclose any subsidies from countries or entities that are strategic or economic threats to the United States. The people of the United States are consumers, Mr. and Mrs. Jones walking and working every day to make ends meet. As Democrats have done in the Inflation Reduction Act and the reduction in healthcare costs and insulin costs, we are bringing down fees. But there is something about justice that is involved in this, as well. We strongly support this.…”