Forbes
TikTok Is A Beacon Of Democracy In The Social Media Landscape
Recent developments in the U.S. House of Representatives have put TikTok, the immensely popular Chinese-owned social media app, in the crosshairs of lawmakers. The House…
Blog
Free the Economy podcast: Heroes of Progress with Alexander Hammond
In this week’s episode we discuss venture capitalists fighting red tape, challenges to electric vehicle adoption, Americans sleeping on the job,…
Blog
The FCC regulation web – again
In a January blog I discussed the needless web of regulation created by the FCC’s classification of broadband as a Title II common carrier…
The Federalist
More Than Two Dozen AGs Sue Biden Administration Over EV Mandate
CEI’s Daren Bakst is cited in The Federalist over a new emissions rule: Daren Bakst, director of the Competitive Enterprise Institute’s Center on Energy and Environment,…
Blog
Biden says his steel tariffs totally different from Trump’s, speculates uncle was eaten by cannibals
President Joe Biden vowed Wednesday that he would get tough on China’s steel dumping by tripling tariffs on imports. He argued this was totally different…
News Release
CEI praises measure to overturn CFPB’s destructive price controls on credit card late fees
On Wednesday, the House Financial Services Committee is expected to approve a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution sponsored by Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) to overturn…
Real Clear Markets
“Lina Khan Isn’t Qualified to Define Market Competition”
Charles Sauer, president of the Market Institute, provides a reality check for the FTC’s current Chair.
Truth on the Market
“Kroger/Albertsons: Is Labor Bargaining Power an Antitrust Harm?”
ICLE’s Brian Albrecht casts doubt on the FTC’s view of labor markets in the agency’s challenge to the Kroger/Albertsons merger.
American Action Forum
“FTC’s COVID-19 Grocery Supply Chain Study Taught Us…Nothing”
Fred Ashton from the American Action Forum explains why the FTC’s recent report provides little reason to resurrect antitrust enforcement under the Robinson-Patman Act.
Blog
Sunshine in Wyoming’s civil forfeiture
Transparency in civil forfeiture took a small step forward last week when the Wyoming Liberty Group published its latest report. One difficulty in writing about…
Blog
The eventual federal regulatory budget has bipartisan roots
With apologies to Margaret Thatcher, I’ll often joke that when the federal government runs out of other people’s money, it keeps spending anyway. The Congressional…
Blog
This week in ridiculous regulations: train crews and airport concessions
Our colleague R.J. Smith passed away. R.J. coined the term “free-market environmentalism,” ran CEI’s private conservation efforts for many years, and was a valued…
EconLib
The Inheritances that Matter Most
Inheritances can be controversial because some people inherit enormous wealth while others inherit nothing or even debts. Due to this apparent inequity, even the archconservative…
Fox News
California’s green agenda is targeting every mode of transportation, despite wide opposition
CEI’s Marlo Lewis is cited on Fox News about California’s green agenda: “Commerce is the lifeblood of the economy and transportation of goods —…
Blog
Bees are flourishing again. Thanks, capitalism!
You can relax, everyone: The honeybees are back. As Andrew Van Dorn of the Washington Post reported recently, America suddenly now has a record…
Blog
Wi-Fi on wheels: FCC oversteps its authority with school bus ruling
This week the Competitive Enterprise Institute filed an amicus brief regarding yet another case of mission creep in the Biden administration. In this instance,…
American Institute for Economic Research
Biden Redoubles Effort to Crush Crypto With EIA’s Mining Survey
The Biden administration has launched yet another attack against the cryptocurrency industry–an environmental impact “survey” to bolster a politically motivated attack on the crypto mining…
American Institute for Economic Research
Biden Redoubles Effort to Crush Crypto With EIA’s Mining Survey
The Biden administration has launched yet another attack against the cryptocurrency industry–an environmental impact “survey” to bolster a politically motivated attack on the crypto mining…
Blog
Spectrum spectacle: Security and competitiveness demand action on spectrum
We are familiar with the proverb “He who hesitates is lost.” Unfortunately, the United States is hesitating in allocating more spectrum to the marketplace and…
The Center Square
Study: Mixed record on permitting reform offers some hope
CEI’s James Broughel provided comments to The Center Square about a study he authored: “Pennsylvania’s a state where energy is very important to its…
Deseret
The Biden admin wants to change home appliances, Republicans are pushing back
CEI’s Ben Lieberman is cited on Deseret News about republican pushback to home appliance regulation: Ben Lieberman of the Competitive Enterprise Institute told Fox News the…
The Center Square
FACT CHECK: Biden touts inflation has “fallen”
CEI’s Ryan Young is cited in The Center Square on a Biden fact check: Ryan Young, senior economist at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, called…
Blog
Free the Economy podcast: Censorship by proxy with Jenin Younes
In this week’s episode we cover Gen Z job satisfaction, dumb biotech policy in the European Union, and figuring out how…
Blog
Green rules, red tape: What American farmers can learn from EU protests
The European Union (EU) has been implementing various measures to fundamentally transform the agricultural sector, notably through initiatives such as the European Green Deal…
Letters
Coalition Letter Opposition to the California Air Resources Board In-Use Locomotive Regulation
Re: Opposition to the California Air Resources Board In-Use Locomotive Regulation Docket EPA-HQ-OAR-2023-0574 We, the undersigned individuals and representatives of national organizations and think tanks…
Blog
RJ Smith (1937-2024)
Freedom has lost a true champion with the passing of longtime CEI analyst RJ Smith. RJ’s tireless advocacy for private property rights will be especially…
Blog
The Inflation Reduction Act’s EPA slush fund gets going: Now it needs to be stopped
Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced eight nonprofit organizations will be able to hand out $20 billion of taxpayer dollars to recipients…
Legal Brief
CEI Issues Amicus Brief in Support of Petitioners in Molak vs. FCC
In Molak v. Federal Communications Commission, CEI argued that neither of the provisions of the Telecommunications Act relied upon by the Federal Communications Commission supported…
Blog
‘Fast Track’ series looks at states’ permit progress: First up, Pennsylvania
The Competitive Enterprise Institute is pleased to announce the release of a new policy paper series called “Fast Track.” The series, overseen by CEI senior…
Reason
Inflation Is So Back
CEI’s Ryan Young is cited on Reason about rising inflation: “If the Federal Reserve was thinking of cutting interest rates at its next meeting…
Blog
R.J. Smith – In Memoriam
The Competitive Enterprise Institute has lost a treasured friend and mentor, Robert J. Smith. All my thoughts about R.J. run to superlatives. He was a…
News Release
Lasting reforms needed to break Pennsylvania’s environmental permitting backlog
Pennsylvania has a long history of reforming its permitting practices to improve efficiency, but despite periods of progress and some improvements in average review times,…
News Release
Inflation still too high to lower interest rates: CEI analysis
The Consumer Price Index report for March again read 0.4 percent, though the 12-month rate is now up to 3.5 percent. CEI senior economist…
Study
Breaking the Backlog
Pennsylvania has a long history of reforming its environmental permitting practices to improve efficiency. Despite periods of progress and some improvements in average review…
Letters
CEI Coalition Letter in Support of the Renewing Efficiency in Government by Budgeting Act
News Release
Spirit Announces Furloughs after Biden, Court Scuttle Merger with JetBlue
In the wake of an adverse court ruling and a Biden administration threat to stop a merger between budget airlines Spirit Airlines and JetBlue, the…
Daily Caller
Robinette Hood: Here’s How Biden’s EV Agenda Will Take From The Poor And Give To The Rich
CEI’s Marlo Lewis is cited on Daily Caller on the Biden EV Agenda: “As the mandated market share of EVs grows, the number of…
Blog
This week in ridiculous regulations: energy labeling and wheel weights
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is set to visit President Biden this week. The moon may get assigned a time zone. Agencies issued new regulations…
Daily Caller
Biden’s Electric Vehicle ‘Mandate’ Might Just Be A Surprise Gift To China
CEI’s Marlo Lewis is cited in an article on Daily Caller regarding the Biden electric vehicle mandate: “China’s EV production would pose no risk to…
Forbes
Truth Social Trading Frenzy Shouldn’t Concern The SEC
This past week, the stock price of Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), the parent company of Donald Trump’s social media start-up Truth Social, has…
Fox News
New England’s last coal plants set to shutter, ushering in era of green energy
CEI’s Daren Bakst is cited in a Fox News article on plans to coal plant shut downs: “There’s a concerted effort to shift away…
Blog
The Biden administration once again puts its climate agenda above home affordability
The Biden administration talks a good game about making housing more affordable, but in truth it is actively boosting costs through expensive climate change…
Real Clear Markets
“The FTC’s Investigation of Reddit Underscores a Scattered, Wrathful Khan”
Juan Londoño with Taxpayers Protection Alliance explains why FTC Chair Lina Khan’s agenda will hamper small companies and new technologies, not help them.
Daily Caller
“Against Khanservatism”
Tom Hebert with Americans for Tax Reform dispels the notion that there is broad conservative support for FTC Chair Lina Khan’s agenda.
Real Clear Markets
“The Federal Trade Commission vs. Cutting Edge Innovation”
Dr. James Edwards from the Committee for Justice explores how the current FTC often views the assertion of intellectual property rights as antitrust violations.
ITIF
“Why Labor Monopsony Shouldn’t Be Included in Merger Guidelines”
Trelysa Long with the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation discusses the problems with including labor market monopsony in the new Merger Guidelines.
The Hill
“Department of Justice Is Best Choice to Police AI Competition”
Curt Levey, president of the Committee for Justice, explains why the FTC is unfit to regulate competition in the AI industry.
News Release
Economy adds 303,000 jobs in March, unemployment stays stable: CEI analysis
The Labor Department’s March jobs report show 303,000 jobs were added last month, with unemployment staying steady at 3.8 percent. Employers show that they…
Blog
Free the Economy podcast: Extremely online with Brad Polumbo
In this week’s episode we cover how honeybees came back from colony collapse disorder, why you shouldn’t believe the government’s nutrition advice,…
Blog
OSHA tries to walk union officials into workplaces
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) issued a new rule Friday that will result in union organizers accompanying agency representatives during worksite inspections.
National Review
The Return of the Cadillac Tax?
Like the phoenix, a key piece of the Affordable Care Act has risen from the ashes, resurrected, believe it or not, by the Republican Study Committee…
Blog
New lunar time zones reinforce importance of keeping regulators earthbound
Maybe when actually applied to the blackness of space, regulatory dark matter can be a good thing. Joe Biden this week directed NASA to collaborate…
Daily Caller
Here’s Why It Could Take Longer To Rebuild The Baltimore Bridge Than The Whole Transcontinental Railroad
CEI’s Ryan Young is cited in Daily Caller about the length of time it is going to take to rebuild the Balitmore bridge: “If…
Blog
Hailstorm exposes vulnerabilities in solar infrastructure: A wake-up call from Texas
Recent destruction of solar cells at the Fighting Jays Solar Farm in Texas has sparked concerns amongst locals about potential land contamination and drawn…
Blog
Shocking: A federal agency’s new rule could harm electrical grid reliability
Last July the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) finalized FERC Order No. 2023, which makes significant changes to the procedures for adding new transmission to…
Blog
Another ban from California: Say goodbye to most new gas-powered lawn and garden equipment
California is not just banning gas-powered vehicles and trying to ban diesel locomotives. The state is also banning the sale of new gas-powered…
Blog
More credit card competition? Not really
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) is worried about a lack of competition in payment card networks, so he’s planning to force the issue. His Credit…
Heritage
EPA’s Tailpipe Emissions Rule Rides Roughshod Over Our Freedoms
CEI’s Marlo Lewis was cited in a recent article in Heritage on an EPA emissions rule: Marlo Lewis, senior research fellow at the Competitive…
Blog
This model AI legislation would regulate government instead of the private sector
Brand new guidance from the Office of Management and Budget governing uses of artificial intelligence (AI) throughout the federal government was issued last week.
Blog
This week in ridiculous regulations: Trademark fees and threatened sloths
A cargo ship struck and collapsed the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. The psychologist and economist Daniel Kahneman died at age 90.
Forbes
Model Legislation On Artificial Intelligence To Regulate Government, Not Big Tech
While there’s considerable chatter, Congress seems unlikely to enact legislation regulating artificial intelligence (AI) this election year. The wait can be worth it, though. There…
Blog
California laggin’: As Golden State minimum wage rises, so does unemployment
California has been a pioneer in raising the minimum wage for decades, consistently putting its state-wide minimum well above the federal rate. Over that same…
Blog
Questions about EPA’s electric vehicle rule—some answered, some not
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week posted the pre-Federal Register version of its de facto electric vehicle (EV) sales mandate rule. The rule…
ITIF
“Lina Khan’s Defective Critique of Boeing as ‘National Champion'”
Dorothy Robyn from ITIF argues that Lina Khan’s critique of Boeing as an example of why other American companies need more antitrust scrutiny is defective.
Politico
“TikTok’s Troubles Just Got Worse: The FTC Could Sue Them, Too,
Politico reports on the FTC’s investigation into TikTok regarding privacy and data security practices.
Phoenix Center
“Amazon: A Monopolist that Undersells Its Competitors?”
Dr. George Ford tests the veracity of the FTC’s claims against Amazon in a new paper for the Phoenix Center.
Truth on the Market
“Antitrust at the Agencies Roundup: Supply Chains, Noncompetes, and Greedflation”
Dan Gilman from ICLE discusses the FTC’s most recent open meeting.
NOTUS
“The Biden Official with MAGA Admirers”
NOTUS reporters Claire Heddles and Byron Tau discuss the odd camaraderie between FTC Chair Lina Khan and Trump supporting Republicans.
The Orange County Register
California should discard unrealistic climate goals
CEI’s Daren Bakst is cited in The Orange County Register on California’s unrealistic climate goals: “California regularly doesn’t take into account technological feasibility or…
The Center Square
Op-Ed: Minnesota’s burdensome clean transportation standards drive up costs
Minnesota legislators may try to phase out traditional motor fuels and the vehicles that run on them. The state is already imposing strict tailpipe standards…
DC Journal
Biden’s Emissions Rule a ‘De Facto Ban’ on Gas-Powered Cars, Critics Say
CEI’s Daren Bakst is cited in DC Journal on Biden’s emissions rule: The conclusion, said Daren Bakst of the Competitive Enterprise Institute, is a…
DC Journal
Biden’s Emissions Rule a ‘De Facto Ban’ on Gas-Powered Cars, Critics Say
CEI’s Daren Bakst is cited in DC Journal on a emissions rule leading to a gas powered vehicle ban: The conclusion, said Daren Bakst…
Blog
Free the Economy podcast: Gig work with Liya Palagashvili
In this week’s episode we cover how to rebuild after the Baltimore bridge collapse, legal challenges to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s new…
Blog
Climate change doesn’t cause inflation.
A new study in Nature from two scientists and two European Central Bank officials argues that climate change could cause inflation. A Daily Caller…
Washington Times
Past the tipping point? Survey finds most Americans say tipping is ‘out of control’
CEI’s Sean Higgins is cited in an article on the Washington Times about tipping in American businesses: Sean Higgins, an analyst at the libertarian…
E&E News
Lummis gets earful back home over carbon tariff vote
CEI’s Daren Bakst is cited on E&E News on Sen. Lummis backlash in home state over carbon tariff vote: In advance of the EPW Committee…
Daily Wire
Biden Plans To Destroy What’s Left Of The Economy With Ban On Gas Powered Vehicles
CEI’s Marlo Lewis is cited in the Daily Wire on Biden’s plan to ban gas powered vehicles: Marlo Lewis, a Senior Fellow at the Competitive…
Reason
Parents Don’t Want Schools to Confiscate Kids’ Phones
CEI’s Jessica Melugin is cited in Reason on parents position of schools confiscating student’s phones: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law restricting teen use…
Blog
Two cheers for the gas stove protections in FY 2024 spending bill
There is a provision in the recently-passed appropriations bill prohibiting any federal funds from being used by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to…
WNG
Another push for electric vehicles
CEI’s Marlo Lewis is cited on WNG about another push for electric vehicles: MARLO LEWIS: Ford has lost $4.7 billion on its electric vehicle…
News Release
Florida social media law puts all users’ privacy at risk: CEI analysis
A new social media bill signed into law by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will ban people younger than 14 years old from using social…
Epoch Times
‘Green Innovation’ Study Shows California CO2 Policies Mainly Help China
CEI’s Daren Bakst is cited in the Epoch Times on a recent study on C02 policies in China: Daren Bakst, the director of CEI’s…
Blog
This week in ridiculous regulations: NASA penalties and emergency alerts
The 2024 Federal Register topped 20,000 pages. The Justice Department sued Apple for having an iPhone monopoly. Russia held an election-themed event where Vladimir Putin…
Daily Caller
This Union Is Plotting To Take Over The Auto Industry. Can It Be Done?
CEI’s Sean Higgins is cited in the Daily Caller a union agenda to take over the auto industry: “Chattanooga is anybody’s guess,” Sean Higgins,…
The Hill
The right way to neutralize China’s unfair economic advantage on climate
There’s a big push in Congress to eliminate any competitive edge handed to China as a result of domestic and international climate change policies. The…
News Release
Government Antitrust Lawsuit Against Apple Undermines Consumer Choices
The U.S. Justice Department along with 16 states and the District of Columbia, filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple on March 21, arguing the company…
Forbes
Libertarian Victory: You Mean We Can Shut Down Government Without Even Passing A Law?
It is happening again. Congress will enact another bloated, pork-laden and largely unread omnibus spending bill to complete formal appropriations for the 2024 fiscal year…
https://www.thecollegefix.com/university-launches-semester-long-climate-emergency-campaign-to-protect-mother-earth/
University launches semester-long ‘climate emergency’ campaign to protect ‘Mother Earth’
CEI’s Daren Bakst is cited in The College Fix on a Western Michigan University climate campaign: But Daren Bakst, director of the Center for…
Blog
Lina Khan’s tenure as FTC Chair highlights need for reform of the agency
Three years ago, today, President Biden nominated Lina Khan to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The Senate confirmed Khan as a commissioner later in…
The National Desk
Federal Reserve keeps waiting for more data before cutting interest rates
CEI’s Ryan Young is cited on The National Desk about Federal Reserve interest rates: “The Fed has done just about all that it can…
E & E News
Murky deadline looms for Biden’s regs
CEI’s Clyde Wayne Crews is cited in E & E News on a murkey deadline for Biden regulations: The Biden administration “might not be so…
News Release
The House passes anti-carbon tax resolution: CEI analysis
Today, the House voted in a bipartisan manner to approve a concurrent resolution “expressing the sense of Congress that a carbon tax would be…
Blog
Free the Economy podcast: Paying for organs with Pete Jaworski
In this week’s episode we cover the future of AI and employment, why we shouldn’t trust Chinese economic statistics, and how the…
The Federalist Society
Boiling Down the Enumerated Powers: CEI Challenges the Federal Ban on Home Distilling
CEI’s Devin Watkins was cited in a recent blog posting on The Federalist Society about the home distilling ban: In a recently filed lawsuit, the Competitive…
Blog
EPA’s latest unlawful assault on vehicle affordability and choice
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced final emission standards for passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty vehicles for model years 2027 through 2032…
Blog
Energy Week: Legislators have a chance to support important bills
This week is “Energy Week” in the US House of Representatives.House Republicans are going to vote on important legislation to help unleash American energy and…
News Release
Fed ignores congressional pressure and keeps interest rates steady: CEI analysis
On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve announced that it will keep interest rates steady in a continued effort to fight off inflation. CEI senior economist…
The Wall Street Journal
Biden’s EPA Gives Automakers More Leeway to Phase Out Gas-Engine Cars
CEI’s Daren Bakst was cited in the Wall Street Journal on phasing out of gas-engine vehicles: “If this rule survives, Americans should expect the…
Blog
Diversity, equity, and exclusion: How the NLRB’s double standard on job-related speech hurts workers
The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) is supposed to protect workers who publicly raise questions about the policies in their workplace. A few recent cases…
News Release
EPA tailpipe rule an abuse of power, consumer freedom
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released its final rule on vehicle tailpipe emissions, which mirrors the proposed rule on the expected percentage of…