The Capitol Forum

Latest Episodes:

Hannah Garden-Monheit, Max Berengaut and Jonathan Kanter on Price Fixing, Algorithms, Antitrust, and Rising Prices Mar 29, 2025

Show notes

In this podcast episode, experts Hannah Garden-Monheit, formerly at the FTC, Jonathan Kanter, and Max Barangau from The Capitol Forum dissect the complexities of antitrust policy, price fixing, and their impact on inflation. Garden-Monheit reflects on her journey from DOJ trial attorney to the FTC and White House NEC, highlighting challenges in revitalizing antitrust enforcement amid corporate skepticism. The panel scrutinizes controversial price-fixing cases, including algorithm-driven collusion in housing markets and egg pricing schemes, and explores how data-driven monopolization amplifies economic power. A compelling analysis for anyone interested in the crossroads of policy, economics, and technology.

Rebecca Slaughter, Katherine Tai and Jonathan Kanter on Getting Fired, Trade, and the Rule of Law Mar 26, 2025

Show notes

In this special episode, former FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter and former U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai talk to Teddy and former Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter to discuss the recent upheaval at the FTC and its implications for market stability, antitrust enforcement, and the rule of law.

Slaughter describes being abruptly fired from her FTC position, highlighting that this dismissal violates legal protections that prohibit FTC commissioners' removal without cause. She emphasizes that this unprecedented action introduces significant legal uncertainty, potentially undermining ongoing critical FTC cases, such as the lawsuit against pharmaceutical benefit managers accused of inflating insulin prices, and cases involving major corporations like Amazon. This instability challenges market predictability and may affect the enforcement of antitrust laws, consumer protection, and market fairness.

Ambassador Tai reflects on the global perception of U.S. trade policy, particularly during the Trump administration, and stresses the importance of consistent policies for international trust and stability. Tai explains the complexity surrounding tariffs, underscoring the risks associated with unpredictability and disruptions in trade relationships with key partners like the EU, Canada, and Mexico. She points out that inconsistent U.S. actions erode its reputation as a reliable trading partner, thus pushing other nations to depend more heavily on China or each other.

Both express concern over current policy chaos in Washington, implications for the rule of law, and democratic stability. They highlight that market actors like Wall Street typically prefer predictability and clear rules, now compromised by this governmental instability.

We end with worries that politically driven decisions—such as Slaughter’s firing—provide advantages to large corporations, including Big Tech, undermining fair competition and accountability.

Jonathan Kanter & Rethinking Antitrust for the Modern Economy Mar 10, 2025

Show notes

I talk to Jonathan Kanter who served as the Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice from 2021 to 2024.

Kanter discusses his experiences at the FTC and DOJ, emphasizing the need for rigorous antitrust enforcement, especially as modern markets have evolved and become dominated by Big Tech.

He highlights the importance of confronting monopolies to protect economic fairness, innovation, democracy, and freedom, and explains how he prioritized impactful cases against major corporations like Google, Apple, Ticketmaster, and others.

Reflecting on his tenure, he stresses adapting antitrust laws to current market realities, warns about the dangers of economic concentration, and expresses the need for support for robust antitrust enforcement to maintain healthy competition and democracy.

Investor-Owned Utilities’ Excess Rates of Return with Mark Ellis Mar 10, 2025

Show notes

Mark Ellis, an American Economic Liberties Project Senior Fellow, discusses his recent paper “Rate of Return Equals Cost of Capital.” In this episode of Second Request, he examines how and why investor-owned utility profit models diverted from their initial design, as well as how much excess returns cost American households.

UnitedHealth Group’s Vertical Consolidation with Hayden Rooke-Ley Mar 10, 2025

Show notes

Hayden Rooke-Ley is a Health Law and Policy Fellow at the Brown University School of Public Health and a Senior Fellow at the American Economic Liberties Project. In this episode of Second Request, Hayden discusses vertical consolidation in health care markets, UnitedHealth Group’s outsized lead in this trend with Medicare Advantage, and the capitated payment model undergirding this shift.

Outlook for Congressional Competition Policy and Antitrust Enforcement During the Trump Administration with Slade Bond Mar 10, 2025

Show notes

Slade Bond, Chair of Cuneo, Gilbert and LaDuca’s Public Policy and Legislative Affairs practice, discusses the evolving landscape of tech policy, discussing the legislative battles, political dynamics, and behind-the-scenes efforts shaping the future of regulation. Slade shares his insights on navigating Congress, the challenges of bipartisan cooperation, the influence of industry lobbying, and what it takes to push meaningful reforms forward.

Fair and Competitive Markets at the U.S. Department of Agriculture with Andy Green Feb 04, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, former USDA Senior Advisor for Fair and Competitive Markets Andy Green discusses the Biden administration’s efforts to improve fairness in food markets and what the future may hold for the agency. Green reflects on key USDA rule-makings over the past few years, their impact on agriculture markets—particularly in seeds and poultry—and changes in enforcing the Packers and Stockyards Act. Green provides valuable insights into the agency’s progress and the steps he believes are necessary to strengthen competition in the food industry.

2025 Congressional Antitrust Outlook with Seth Bloom Feb 04, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Seth Bloom, President of Bloom Strategic Counsel and former General Counsel of the U.S. Senate Antitrust Subcommittee, discusses the congressional outlook on antitrust in 2025. With shifts in antitrust subcommittee leadership this term, he explores what these changes mean for competition policy, the legislative possibilities ahead, and what to expect from Republican-led antitrust efforts. Bloom offers key insights into how Congress may approach antitrust enforcement and reform in the coming year.

Vestager Pushes Back Against Calls to Ease EU Merger Rules Feb 03, 2025

Show notes

In this special edition of Second Request, an exclusive interview with Margrethe Vestager, the former EU Antitrust Chief addressed concerns about a potential shift in U.S.- EU relations with the election of President Donald Trump.

The interview is the first of a regular podcast hosted by Capitol Forum’s new Europe Executive Editor Javier Espinoza that will include some of the biggest names in European policy. Mr. Espinoza, a leading voice in Brussels regulatory coverage, recently joined Capitol Forum after nearly a decade at the Financial Times.

Importance of the DOJ Live Nation Suit to Independent Venues with Stephen Parker Jan 30, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, The Capitol Forum welcomes National Independent Venue Association Executive Director Stephen Parker to explore how the DOJ’s Sherman Act Section 2 suit against Live Nation Ticketmaster could reshape the live entertainment industry. Parker discusses the current state of the primary ticketing market, the potential impact of structural changes on venues and promoters, and what ideal remedies could look like if Live Nation is found guilty.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected