Our Federal & State Action

Statement from ILSR on New York Senate's Passage of the 21st Century Antitrust Act

Reggie Rucker

May 26, 2022

In a statement, ILSR’s Co-director Stacy Mitchell responded to the New York Senate's passage of the 21st Century Antitrust Act. “The New York Senate’s passage of the 21st Century Antitrust Act is a win for New York’s small businesses, working people, and communities. For too long, dominant corporations have been allowed to corner markets and rig the game in their own favor."READ MORE

Statement from ILSR on Alvaro Bedoya’s Confirmation to the Federal Trade Commission

Reggie Rucker

May 12, 2022

Alvaro Bedoya brings to the FTC deep expertise in the ways that monopolies in sectors like food, pharmacy, and tech are harming Americans and sapping the resiliency out of our economy and democracy.READ MORE

New Survey: America’s Independent Businesses See Monopoly Power As Biggest Threat

Jess Del Fiacco

March 30, 2022

When asked about the challenges they face, the top three issues small businesses pointed to all have to do with the unchecked exercise of market power by dominant corporations.READ MORE

ILSR Statement on the Introduction of the Prohibiting Anticompetitive Mergers Act

Jess Del Fiacco

March 16, 2022

We welcome the legislation introduced today by Senator Warren and Representative Jones, as a long-overdue step toward a more equitable and dynamic economy. READ MORE

Statement on House Judiciary's Referral of Amazon to the DOJ for Potential Criminal Obstruction of Congress

Luke Gannon

March 9, 2022

We issued a statement on the House Judiciary's Referral of Amazon to the DOJ for Potential Criminal Obstruction of Congress. "Amazon’s attempt to obstruct Congress only further underscores the need for legislation to rein in Big Tech's outsized power."READ MORE

Video: The Progressive Fight for Small Business w/ Rep. Pramila Jayapal, White House Advisor Tim Wu, and Leading Advocates

Stacy Mitchell

January 31, 2022

In January, ILSR hosted a conversation with key leaders and advocates including Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal and White House Advisor Tim Wu to discuss the importance of small business to achieving a vibrant, equitable economy where all people and communities can thrive. READ MORE

Watch Now: Small Business's Big Moment

Kennedy Smith

January 20, 2022

On February 10th, 2022, ILSR and Main Street America hosted a conversation about how communities can use some of their federal American Rescue Plan Act allocations to support small business growth and development. The webinar was based on a new report by ILSR that outlines a dozen ideas for using American Rescue Plan Act money to cultivate and support small businesses.READ MORE

ILSR Statement on the American Innovation and Choice Online Act Passing Out of the Senate

Jess Del Fiacco

January 20, 2022

A statement from ILSR Co-Director Stacy Mitchell on the American Innovation and Choice Online Act.READ MORE

How Reining in Big Tech will Save Small Businesses

Katy Milani

January 6, 2022

Senior Policy Advocate Katy Milani writes for Phoenix's Eculeus newspaper group on how local businesses create a strong community, offer quality career opportunities, and cultivate economic stability. READ MORE

ILSR Comment Letter Raises Concerns about Big Tech’s Expansion into Finance

Katy Milani

December 16, 2021

In a comment letter to the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau, ILSR raised several areas of concern that the agency should examine as part of its inquiry Into Big Tech payment platforms.READ MORE

ILSR Joins New York Labor Unions, Small Businesses, and Community Organizations to Form New Coalition Calling for Legislation to Combat Corporate Power in NY

Virgil McDill

November 10, 2021

"By establishing clear rules to stop dominant corporations from abusing their power, this legislation will safeguard democracy and create new vitality in struggling rural and urban areas alike," said ILSR's Stacy Mitchell.READ MORE

Statement from Institute for Local Self-Reliance on Antitrust Legislation Unveiled in the U.S. Senate Today

Virgil McDill

October 14, 2021

The following statement was issued by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, in response to legislation released today in the United States Senate aimed at addressing the concentrated corporate power of the Big Tech companies. READ MORE

Statement from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance on Today’s Reintroduction of the Bank Merger Review Modernization Act

Jess Del Fiacco

September 30, 2021

"As community and local financial institutions disappear or merge with larger banks, more entrepreneurs and business owners are struggling to obtain the capital they need to start and grow their businesses," said ILSR's Stacy Mitchell.READ MORE

Statement Regarding D.C. Attorney General Racine’s Amended Antitrust Complaint Against Amazon

Virgil McDill

September 13, 2021

This statement was issued by ILSR Co-Director Stacy Mitchell in response to new amendments to an antitrust complaint filed against Amazon by D.C. Attorney General Karl A. Racine.READ MORE

Listen: Hardware Group Says Big Tech Bills are an Urgent Opportunity for Small Businesses

Susan Holmberg

August 5, 2021

ILSR's Stacy Mitchell joined Dan Tratensek of the North American Hardware and Paint Association to talk about the momentum in Washington, and at the local level, to level the playing field for small business.READ MORE

Biden’s Executive Order Takes Aim at Monopoly Power on Behalf of Small Businesses, Farmers, and Workers

Ron Knox

July 26, 2021

President Biden signed a sweeping Executive Order aimed at undoing concentrated corporate control and ending decades of consolidation across the economy. The order’s provisions reflect many of ILSR's priorities.READ MORE

Congressional Testimony: How Concentrated Corporate Power Undermines Shared Prosperity

Katy Milani

July 14, 2021

ILSR Co-Director Stacy Mitchell testified before the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee on Wednesday, July 14th. She spoke about how the U.S. has abandoned its antimonopoly policies, which has undermined independent businesses and the vital role they play in our economy and democracy.READ MORE

Statement: Biden Repudiates Decades of Pro-Monopoly Policies and Takes a Major Step Toward Restoring Fair Markets for Small Businesses, Farmers, and Workers

Virgil McDill

July 9, 2021

Biden's executive order marks a major turning point in the fight to check monopoly power. It includes more than 70 specific provisions, many of which reflect ILSR’s long-standing work and priorities.READ MORE

Statement on the House Judiciary Committee’s Vote Approving Legislation to Break Up and Rein In Big Tech

Virgil McDill

June 24, 2021

"There’s no doubt in my mind that American democracy will ultimately prevail over the outsized power of Big Tech," said ILSR Co-Director Stacy Mitchell. "Today’s bipartisan vote was a clear sign of the gathering momentum to break up Amazon and the other tech giants."READ MORE

Sen. Klobuchar Calls for Breakups in Town Hall Co-Hosted by Small Business Rising

Hannah Henderson-Charnow

June 17, 2021

"Unless you force some divestiture of assets, [monopolies are] going to just keep going the way they are... Yes, breakup[s have] to be on the table when it comes to these companies," Senator Klobuchar at a town hall event co-hosted by Small Business Rising.READ MORE