House Judiciary Committee OKs Merger Review Bill

摘要

The House Judiciary Committee on Sept. 30 approved by an 18-10 vote a bill aimed at harmonizing the rules and processes used by the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission in their reviews of mergers and acquisitions. The SMARTER Act would require the FTC to use the same authority and procedures in reviewing proposed transactions under the Clayton Act as the Justice Department uses. It would bar FTC Act enforcement actions related to proposed transactions, with the exception of transactions subject to an FTC consent order under an agreement with the transacting parties.