Klobucher introduced the Antitrust Accountability and Transparency Act on Tuesday alongside fellow Democratic Sens. Dick Durbin, Cory Booker, Mazie Hirono, Richard Blumenthal, Peter Welch, Sheldon Whitehouse, Elizabeth Warren and Chris Murphy. The senators argue that the Trump administration is eroding the antitrust process with “backroom deals” to benefit major corporations and special interests and are seeking reforms to the Tunney Act as an answer.
“When the government prosecutes antitrust violations, the goal should be to uphold the law, lower prices, and protect consumers and small businesses,” Klobuchar said in a statement. “In the recent settlement between the Department of Justice and Live Nation, it is clear the American people got the raw end of the deal.”
Reps for Live Nation didn’t respond to request for comment on the senators’ proposed legislative changes or on their assessment of the company’s settlement with the DOJ.
“Live Nation is proud to lead the way enhancing this experience with our amphitheaters, which will be open to all promoters, allowing these promoters to decide how best to distribute up to 50 percent of the tickets, and capping ticketing service fees at 15 percent,” Rapino said. “By giving artists greater flexibility in choosing their promotional partners and ticketing strategy while also keeping the cost of a concert more affordable for fans, we are putting more power where it should be — with artists and fans.”
