[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 20 (Thursday, February 1, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E245]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF THE ``ANTITRUST MODERNIZATION COMMISSION EXTENSION ACT 
                               OF 2007''

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                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 31, 2007

  Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, today I am introducing the ``Antitrust 
Modernization Commission Extension Act of 2007,'' legislation that 
allows the Antitrust Modernization Commission to finalize its report 
and shut down its operations in an appropriate time frame. I am joined 
by Ranking Member Lamar Smith.
  In passing the Antitrust Modernization Act of 2002, Congress 
established this Commission to ``examine whether the need exists to 
modernize [the U.S.] antitrust laws.'' In 2 months, I expect the 
Commission will provide its recommendations to Congress in its final 
report.
  The Commission has expressed concerns over the statutorily required 
30 day deadline to shut down its operations completely while also 
finalizing its report to Congress. For example, dismantling the 
Commission will require it to begin archiving its records prior to 
completion of the report, which would likely affect the integrity of 
the report. For this and other reasons, it makes sense to give the 
Commission adequate time to wrap up.
  This bill allows the Commission to complete its report before 
beginning the process of shutting down operations by extending the 
Commission's administrative shutdown from 30 to 60 days. I urge my 
colleagues to support this effort.

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