[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 91 (Wednesday, June 17, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S6741]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




ANTITRUST CRIMINAL PENALTY ENHANCEMENT AND REFORM ACT OF 2004 EXTENSION 
                                  ACT

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to H.R. 2675.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (H.R. 2675) to amend title II of the Antitrust 
     Criminal Penalty Enhancement and Reform Act of 2004 to extend 
     the operation of such title for a 1-year period ending June 
     22, 2010.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I am pleased that the Senate today will 
pass the Antitrust Criminal Penalty Enhancement and Reform Act of 2004 
Extension Act, ACPERA. I have long supported vigorous enforcement of 
the antitrust laws. Passage of this legislation ensures that the 
Department of Justice will retain the tools it needs to prosecute 
criminal antitrust violations effectively and efficiently.
  Since its inception 5 years ago, ACPERA has bolstered the Department 
of Justice's ability to uncover and prosecute criminal antitrust 
violations through its leniency program. The act provides incentives 
for corporations to self-report antitrust violations by limiting 
criminal liability and the civil damages recoverable to actual damages 
against a party that comes forward and cooperates with the Department 
of Justice.
  The incentives in this program are critical to the success of the 
Antitrust Division's criminal antitrust enforcement. The 1-year 
extension will allow the Department of Justice to continue this 
successful program while Congress assesses the long-term direction of 
the Department of Justice's leniency program.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be 
read three times, passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the 
table, with no intervening action or debate, and that any statements 
relating to the bill be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The bill (H.R. 2675) was ordered to a third reading, was read the 
third time, and passed.

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