Blog
A brief look at the Senate’s proposed AI regulations
As new artificial intelligence (AI) models release and their capabilities grow, fears around artificial intelligence have begun to crop up as people wonder what AI…
The Washington Times
Biden is coming after your light bulbs — again
The Washington Times cited CEI’s experts on energy regulation “That’s the problem with these agencies. They make their living cranking out more and more regulations.
Blog
This week in ridiculous regulations: Texas pimplebacks and pension funds
The 60-legislative-day Congressional Review Act deadline has likely passed, unless Congress keeps an unusually busy election year schedule. As a result, rulemaking has slowed to…
Blog
Free the Economy podcast: Economic facts and vibes with Joey Politano
In this week’s episode we cover advances in dentistry, the slow pace of EV charger deployment, a victory for free speech at…
Blog
The inherent contradictions of unionized political campaigns
President Joe Biden is the first candidate expected to win their party’s presidential nomination with a unionized staff. Whether this is…
News Release
May jobs rebound, skilled workers still needed: CEI analysis
The job situation for May 2024 indicates employment numbers are rebounding with 272,000 jobs added, though employers are still struggling to find the right…
Wall Street Journal
“FTC Opens Antitrust Probe of Microsoft AI Deal”
The Wall Street Journal reports on the FTC’s investigation into Microsoft’s investments in OpenAI and Inflection.
National Review
“Lina Khan’s Amazon Flip-Flop”
Tom Hebert from Americans for Tax Reform discusses Lina Khan’s inconsistent view of Amazon’s prices.
Antitrust Education Project
“Federal Judge in North Carolina Prevents FTC from Killing Two Hospitals”
The Antitrust Education Project details the FTC’s loss in its attempt to block non-profit hospital Novant Health’s acquisitions.
Politico
“FTC Preparing Lawsuit over Alcohol Pricing”
Politico reports on an anticipated lawsuit by the FTC against an American alcohol distributer under the Robinson-Patman Act.
Truth on the Market
“All Roads Lead to Dallas: FTC Non-Compete Rule Set to Fact Its First Legal Test in the Northern District of Texas”
Amir Tayrani from the law firm of Gibson Dunn previews the case challenging the FTC’s noncompete rule.
News Release
AI antitrust investigations go against U.S. innovation: CEI analysis
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Department of Justice (DOJ) announced new antitrust investigations into investments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) made by Microsoft, OpenAI, and…
Blog
The end of the ‘economically significant’ rule
Friends and allies in the liberty movement still often refer to high-cost regulations from the Biden administration as “economically significant” rules. What…
Blog
Regulations hit small businesses and low-income households hardest
There are about 33.3 million small businesses in the United States, comprising 99.9 percent of all American businesses. About half of all employees work for…
News Release
Court Rules Against Improper SEC Regulation of Private Equity, Hedge Fund Managers
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals today ruled 3-0 against a controversial Securities and Exchange Commission 2023 rule regulating private equity and hedge fund…
Forbes
California’s SB 1047 Won’t Address Existential Risks From AI
Over the last year, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence has captivated the world’s attention, sparking both excitement and concern. As AI systems like OpenAI’s…
Study
Champagne Regulations on a Beer Budget
Regulation is often regarded as akin to a tax, albeit one that takes place off of the government’s books. Similar to a value-added tax, it…
News Release
Report: Regulations disproportionately impose costs on small businesses
A new Competitive Enterprise Institute report identifies ways that federal regulations impose unfair costs and perverse incentives on small businesses every year. “From an equity…
Blog
Three cheers for House efforts to defund climate-related foreign aid
House Republicans should be applauded for introducing an FY 2025 State Department appropriations bill that blocks climate change-related foreign aid. Specifically, the bill wouldn’t…
Blog
21 cents worth of stupid in the Department of Energy’s latest stove proposal
The good news is that the Biden Department of Energy’s (DOE) latest proposed efficiency regulation for residential stoves is considerably less damaging to consumers…
Blog
Conservatives oppose the PROVE IT Act
How does a federal tax on every aspect of our lives sound? How about punishing energy use?It’s probably safe to say that most people think…
Blog
The federal government’s shift toward controlling small business
Recent proclamations by the Biden administration have revealed a worrying shift in the federal government’s attitude toward America’s small businesses. In a new column…
Blog
Unions outdo Donald Trump in crying foul over election losses
The US labor movement is rivaled only by Donald Trump when it comes to throwing out claims of election fraud. Like the Republican presidential candidate,…
Blog
This week in ridiculous regulations: food hazards and powerline permits
Donald Trump was convicted of 34 felonies in his hush money case. Apparently nothing else of note happened all week, since that was the only…
Comment
CEI Comment on Department of Energy Proposed Stove Efficiency Regulation
Docket Number EERE-2014-ST-STD-000589 FR 11,548 and 89 FR 11,434 I. Summary The Department of Energy (DOE) is permitted to set energy efficiency standards for home…
News Release
CEI leads coalition in opposition to PROVE IT Act
The Competitive Enterprise Institute today sent a coalition letter to the House of Representatives in opposition to the PROVE IT Act (S. 1836), which would…
Daily Caller
EXCLUSIVE: Dozens Of Energy Orgs Ask Congress To Kill Bill They Say Would ‘Inevitably’ Lead To Carbon Taxes
CEI’s coalition letter addressing the PROVE IT Act was cited in Daily Caller: Among others, some of the organizations that signed the letter include the…
Daily Caller
EXCLUSIVE: Dozens Of Energy Orgs Ask Congress To Kill Bill They Say Would ‘Inevitably’ Lead To Carbon Taxes
Daily Caller cited CEI on the PROVE ACT Among others, some of the organizations that signed the letter include the Competitive Enterprise Institute, the American…
Forbes
Small Business, Big Government Intervention
Certain official proclamations in recent weeks have highlighted an unnerving shift in the federal government’s relationship with America’s small businesses. This novel stance undermines the…
Letters
CEI House PROVE IT Act Coalition Letter
Dear Representative: Since a House companion to the PROVE IT Act (S.1863) may be introduced soon, the undersigned organizations want to express our strong…
Penn Live
Harrisburg is taking a wrong approach to drug pricing | PennLive letters
CEI’s Joel Zinberg was cited in a Penn Live article on Pharmacy Benefit Managers: Joel Zinberg from the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) explains, “PBMs enhance…
Blog
Freddie Mac second mortgage funding could foment financial crisis
The 2008 mortgage meltdown and financial crisis never fails to be invoked whenever there is any pushback to excessive financial regulation. Progressives regularly bring up…
Blog
Are ‘loser’ states responsible for the US trade deficit?
Both presidential candidates have promised that greater trade restrictions will be on the way if they win. Biden has recently placed…
Blog
When emergency declarations become the emergency
Crises and economic shocks have a history of abuse. Few are aware that there are 31 declared and ongoing national emergencies, with some active…
News Release
CEI leads coalition urging Congress to stop EPA’s power plant rule
The Competitive Enterprise Institute today led a coalition letter to Congress in support of an effort to undo the EPA’s power plant rule, which…
National Review
A respectable pro-trade proclamation would talk about market access, tariff reduction, and liberalized markets.
Bloomberg Law
NRA Ruling Eyed for Clues in Supreme Court Social Media Case
CEI’s Devin Watkins was cited in a Bloomberg Law article on the likely legal justification of an incoming Supreme Court ruling: Devin Watkins, an…
Letters
CEI Leads Coalition Letter Supporting CRA Resolution of Disapproval on EPA Power Plant Rule
Dear Members of Congress, The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recently finalized powerplant rule will kill America’s existing supply of baseload generation…
Blog
Free the Economy podcast: Capitalism and the historians with Phil Magness
In this week’s episode we cover the prospect of Inflation Reduction Act 2.0, rising consumer confidence, the perils of stress bragging,…
News Release
Supreme Court unanimous on free speech in NRA case ruling
The Supreme Court today unanimously ruled in favor of free speech rights in NRA v. Vullo, a case in which the Competitive Enterprise Institute had…
Daily Caller
Dozens Of Energy Groups Ask Congress To Overturn Biden’s Green Power Plant Rules
Washington Post
“The FTC’s Trustbusting Is Getting Ridiculous. Luxury Handbags? Please.”
George Will with the Washington Post highlights the absurdity of the FTC’s case against the Tapestry-Capri merger.
Truth on the Market
“Will the FTC Reinvigorate an Antiquated Law that Raises Prices?”
Alden Abbott from Mercatus Center warns that an attempt by the FTC to revive the Robinson-Patman Act would be ill-advised.
Wall Street Journal
“Lina Khan’s Amazon Antitrust Paradox”
The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board discusses the FTC’s opposition to the American Booksellers Association intervening its suit against Amazon.
Blog
New bill would increase spending transparency, more regulatory transparency needed
Galileo may not have uttered the famous words, “Measure what is measurable, and make measurable what is not so,” but the sentiment behind that admonition…
Washington Examiner
Buzz: Household debt to Feds $815,788; Trump-Levin share well-done steaks
CEI’s Wayne Crews is cited in Washington Examiner on the per-household debt burden: Our friend Clyde Wayne Crews, the regulations expert at the Competitive Enterprise Institute,…
Blog
Wind subsidies are rising, but wind power production isn’t
New data recently released by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows a decrease in wind power production in 2023. Despite record highs in installed wind capacity…
Blog
This week in ridiculous regulations: electric programs and EV powertrains
The midnight rush to beat the 60-legislative-day deadline for possible Congressional Review Act repeals appears to be slowing down, but Federal Register activity is still…
Politico
Biden’s got a plan to protect science from Trump
CEI’s Joel Zinberg was cited in Politico on the obstacles Trump faces with the NIH: Trump should have no illusions about what he’s up against,…
Real Clear Politics
Who Gets To Say What the Rules Are?
Who gets to make the rules in American government? One of the most controversial and important cases before the Supreme Court concerns that crucial question.
Blog
Fewer Memorial Day gimmicks, more oil production will bring down gasoline prices
The Biden administration treats high gasoline prices as a public relations problem rather than a real hardship for millions of Americans, hence the gimmicky announcement…
Blog
Biden’s oil and gas production problem
The Biden administration has an oil and gas production problem—and it’s not what you might think. The problem is that production is higher than ever,…
Wall Street Journal
For the Sake of Free Speech, Keep Section 230
The only remedy Reps. McMorris Rodgers and Pallone Jr. offer for online harms is to turn the plaintiffs’ bar loose on tech companies, a curious…
News Release
DOJ’s suit to breakup Live Nation-Ticketmaster will not lead to lower prices for entertainment
The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit today against Live Nation, the parent company of Ticketmaster, alleging anticompetitive behavior. The DOJ lawsuit seeks to…
Letters
CEI Signs Coalition Letter in Support of Opposing Freddie Mac’s Second Mortgage Product
Washington Examiner
Congress Can Remove Federal Obstacles to Alaskan Energy Production
The people and economy of Alaska and the nation took a big hit when regulators at the U.S. Department of Interior cancelled a host of…
Wall Street Journal
For the Sake of Free Speech, Keep Section 230
The only remedy Reps. McMorris Rodgers and Pallone Jr. offer for online harms is to turn the plaintiffs’ bar loose on tech companies, a curious…
Blog
Free the Economy podcast: Giving for a cause with Peter Lipsett
In this week’s episode we cover attitudes toward social media companies, the guerilla war over ESG investing, YIMBY housing reforms in…
National Review
Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Section 230
The House Energy and Commerce Committee released a draft bill to sunset the online liability shield commonly known as Section 230. The proposal is…
Blog
New CEI book: Adam Smith’s guide to life, loveliness, and the modern economy
Adam Smith is 300 years old, and CEI is 40 years old. To celebrate this dual milestone, I edited an essay collection about Adam…
News Release
Report considers economist Adam Smith’s guide to life, loveliness, and the modern economy
Upon the 300 year anniversary birth year of legendary economist Adam Smith, the Competitive Enterprise Institute today published a collection of essays exploring Smith’s…
National Review
Free expression depends on it.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee released a draft bill to sunset the online liability shield commonly known as Section 230. The proposal is only about 50 words…
Rethinking Anti-Trust
Achieving Change at the Federal Trade Commission
CEI’s Tim Muris and Howard Beales joined the Rethinking Anti-Trust podcast to discuss achieving change at the FTC:…
Study
Adam Smith’s guide to life, loveliness, and the modern economy
Introduction: Going strong at 300 Ryan Young This essay collection celebrates Adam Smith’s 300th birthday. He is best known for being the first modern economist,…
Daily Caller
‘Money Has To Come From Somewhere’: New York Winning Big From Biden’s Domestic Agenda Despite Poor Business Climate
CEI’s Ryan Young is cited in Daily Caller on government subsidies: “Subsidies make taxpayers worse off because that subsidy money has to come from…
News Release
Senate poised to vote on resolution that would end Department of Energy’s radical furnace rule
Today, the Senate is set to vote on a resolution that would overturn the Department of Energy’s radical furnace rule, preventing price increases and protecting…
Letters
CEI Leads Coalition Against Section 230 Repeal or Replace
Dear Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, We write to you in advance of the committee hearing on May 22, 2024 to express…
Forbes
Senate AI Working Group’s Roadmap Leaves Many Questions Unanswered
Last week, the Senate AI Working Group released an eagerly-awaited roadmap report, “Driving U.S. Innovation in Artificial Intelligence: A Roadmap for Artificial Intelligence Policy in the United…
Blog
Has ESG gone guerrilla warfare?
There has been much discussion recently over declining institutional support for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing theory. Many indications suggest that US shareholders…
Blog
This week in ridiculous regulations: Drain tiles and garbage fires
Inflation remains stubbornly high. President Biden announced a round of tariffs on EVs, solar panels, and medical supplies from China. The Biden administration also…
Blog
UAW revival gets flat tire in Alabama
The United Auto Workers (UAW) on Friday lost a high-profile bid to organize 5,000 Mercedes-Benz workers in a plant near Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The loss…
Washington Examiner
Biden floods the swamp with record tally of regulations
CEI’s Wayne Crews is cited in the Washington Examiner on an influx of regulations: Meanwhile the regulations czar at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, …
Blog
Three strikes against Biden EV tariffs
Over at the syndicate InsideSources, I have an op-ed explaining three problems with President Biden’s new tariffs on $18 billion worth of EVs, solar…
Daily Caller
Biden’s Climate Agenda Is Running Headfirst Into A Wall Of His Own Making
CEI’s Ryan Young was cited in Daily Caller on Biden’s climate agenda: “Tariffs on Chinese EVs won’t just make Chinese EVs more expensive, they…
City Journal
“Lina Khan’s New Club”
Corbin Barthold with TechFreedom takes a look at the FTC’s assertion of substantive rulemaking authority under the FTC Act.
Wall Street Journal
“Another Lina Khan Theory Loses in Court”
The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board discusses the FTC’s recent loss in federal court involving the anesthesiology market in Texas.
Real Clear Markets
“Do Chanel Buyers Shop at Walmart? What Say the FTC?”
Tirzah Duren from the American Consumer Institute discusses the shortcomings of the FTC’s relevant market definition in its challenge to the merger between Tapestry Inc.
National Review
“Risky Bets by Entrepreneurs Should Be Celebrated, Not Stifled”
Tom Hebert from Americans for Tax Reform dispels a number of misconceptions underlying FTC Chair Khan’s view of mergers and acquisitions.
ITIF
“America Needs Big Tech to Beat Big China”
Robert Atkinson, President of the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, explains how FTC Chair Lina Kahn’s antitrust agenda will harm the competitiveness of US companies. …
Wall Street Journal
“The FTC Smears Scott Sheffield”
The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board discusses the FTC’s recent complaint against former CEO of Pioneer Natural Resources Co.
Cato Institute
“Non-Competes and Minimum Wage Laws”
Ryan Bourne from the Cato Institute discusses the noncompete agreement debate within the context of the FTC’s new rule prohibiting them.
The New York Times
Supreme Court Rejects Challenge to Consumer Watchdog’s Funding
CEI’s Dan Greenberg was cited in The New York Times on the recent The Supreme Court CFPB ruling: Critics of the agency called…
DC Journal
Three Problems with Biden’s China EV Tariffs
The Biden administration announced it would raise tariffs on Chinese-made steel, aluminum, semiconductors, solar panels, and EVs. This proposal has three major problems. First, tariffs will make…
Daily Caller
Supreme Court Slaps Down Challenge That Could Have Gutted Financial Regulatory Agency
CEI’s Iain Murray was cited in Daily Caller on the recent Supreme Court CFPB ruling: Iain Murray, the director of the Competitive Enterprise Institute’s …
News Release
Supreme Court Disappoints on Funding/Powers Question in Ruling in CFPB Case
The Supreme Court today issued a disappointing ruling in CFPB v. Community Financial Services Association of America, a lawsuit challenging the unchecked funding of…
Washington Times
Supreme Court rules CFPB funding structure is lawful, jarring attempt to undo Wall Street cop
CEI’s Dan Greenberg is cited in the Washington Times regarding a recent Supreme Court ruling: Dan Greenberg, general counsel at the Competitive Enterprise Institute,…
Blog
Free the Economy podcast: Liberty movement jobs with Claire Kittle Dixon
In this week’s episode we cover the war on prices, the great un-wokening of corporate America, the attack on credit card…
Forbes
CEQ’s Empty Promises On Permit Streamlining
The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) recently finalized its Phase II rule under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which it is touting as a “Bipartisan Permitting…
News Release
No surprises with April’s inflation report: CEI analysis
Inflation rose 0.3 percent in April compared to 0.4 percent in March. While this wasn’t a surprise for economists, the news indicates a tough…
Blog
UAW loses 13,000 members
The United Auto Workers (UAW) lost 13,000 members in the last year, according to filings the union made to the Labor Department. The UAW said…
Reason
The Scandalous Science Behind Nuclear Regulation
Nuclear power could be a game-changer for energy affordability, grid reliability, and carbon reduction. However, it’s been stifled for decades based on one deeply flawed…
Reason
The Scandalous Science Behind Nuclear Regulation
Nuclear power could be a game-changer for energy affordability, grid reliability, and carbon reduction. However, it’s been stifled for decades based on one deeply flawed…
Reason
Biden’s Tariffs Are a Bad Idea
CEI’s Ryan Young is cited in Reason on Biden’s trade tariffs: “Tariffs on Chinese EVs won’t just make Chinese EVs more expensive, they will…
News Release
Biden’s China Tariffs will Undermine American Consumers, Not Alter China’s Policies: CEI Analysis
President Biden announced today he is raising protectionist tariffs on various Chinese imports, like electric vehicles, solar cells, semiconductors, and advanced batteries, ostensibly to fight…
Blog
R.I.P. Roger Corman, Filmmaker and Free Marketer
American cinema lost one of its great entrepreneurs last week when producer and director Roger Corman died at age 98. In a career that…
Blog
Navigating the maze of federal regulations in 2024: What to know
In a bureaucratic whirlwind, the 2024 Federal Register is attaining new heights, topping 41,000 pages today. An unsettling new norm for the past few weeks…
Reason
Biden’s Tariffs Are a Bad Idea
CEI’s Ryan Young is cited in an article on Reason on Biden’s Tariffs: “Tariffs on Chinese EVs won’t just make Chinese EVs more expensive, they…
Forbes
Confronting A Surge In Costly Federal Rules
As of Monday, May 13, there have been 1,148 rules and regulations finalized among the 41,830 pages published to date in the 2024 Federal Register. Page…
Blog
This week in ridiculous regulations: Housing subsidies and non-compete clauses
The Federal Register had what may have been its first 4,000-page week. It is on pace to exceed 112,000 pages for the year, or more…
Comment
CEI comments opposing the worsening of Durbin Amendment debit card price controls
Re: Debit Card Interchange Fees and Routing (Docket No. R–1818, RIN 7100-AG67) Dear Ms. Misback: On behalf of the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI), I respectfully…