Sen Klobuchar takes over antitrust panel

The Senate Judiciary Committee selected Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) to chair its subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights. The committee oversees efforts by the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission to preserve competition and combat monopolization. Chairman Klobuchar succeeds Sen. Herb Kohl (D-WI), who retired at the end of last term. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) will stay on as the panel's ranking member. “Protecting our consumers while promoting innovation and competition is what keeps this country strong,” Sen Klobuchar said. “During my time in the Senate I have fought tirelessly on behalf of consumers and worked hard to advance innovation to move our economy forward, and that is what I will continue to do as chair of the Antitrust Subcommittee.” Sen Lee said he looks forward to remaining active on the subcommittee to ensure the antitrust laws are faithfully enforced.

The Judiciary Committee also announced that Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) will stay on as chairman of the Privacy, Technology and the Law Subcommittee, with freshman Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) as the top Republican. Sen Franken is expected to push legislation that would require companies to get a customers' consent before collecting or sharing their mobile location data. Sen Dick Durbin (D-IL) will remain as chairman of the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights Subcommittee, and freshman Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) will serve as the ranking member.