Closer Controls and Better Data Could Improve Antitrust Enforcement

Two agencies share responsibility for enforcing Federal antitrust laws: the Justice Department's Antitrust Division, through civil and criminal legal proceedings; and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), through adjudication before Administrative Law Judges. Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed their performance in enforcing Federal antitrust laws. Data was compiled on 294 antitrust investigations over a 3-year period.