Author: Ashleigh Barber

Lina Khan, the FTC, and Antitrust Laws

Posted on by Ashleigh Barber

Over the past four years, policy put forth by President Joe Biden’s administration represented a notable shift in the executive branch’s attitude toward multi-conglomerate merging. This merging refers to large corporations buying up smaller businesses from a variety of different industries, thus reducing the possibility of competition from small business.

During the Biden administration, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) adopted an agenda of general deterrence on corporations that own too large a percentage of a given industry, often referred to as a monopoly, filing multiple high-profile antitrust lawsuits that drew national attention to then-FTC Chair Lina Khan. Khan’s lawsuits contradicted the deregulation agenda that began with President Ronald Reagan’s administration and was maintained by every president until Biden. President Biden justified the shift, stating, “We’re now 40 years into the experiment of letting giant corporations accumulate more and more power. And what have we gotten from it? Less growth, weakened investment, fewer small businesses. Too many Americans who feel left behind. Too many people who are poorer than their parents.”1   

Khan was vocal about her belief that a major cause of inflation is corporate consolidation, or the merging of smaller businesses into monopolies. She noted that “even as some of the supply chain issues have eased, prices have not come down concurrently as much,” and implied that the manufactured inflation by large corporations was good for their profits.2 While there is no exact boundary within a given market that labels a corporation a monopoly, Khan stated that the FTC could look at the behavior of a corporation and see if it is operating with a “too big to care” approach, signaling they have too much power. This is where the Biden administration’s FTC would take antitrust action, using laws and regulations designed to prevent companies from forming monopolies or engaging in practices that unfairly restrict competition in the marketplace.3 The most recent attempt by the FTC to address such behavior was the proposed Kroger-Albertsons grocery merger, blocked in two different courts as of December 2024. The potential remains for the merger to move forward in President Donald Trump’s administration, which would result in the largest single grocery corporation in U.S. history.4  

Khan pointed to the pharmaceutical industry, tech companies, and the hospitality industry as illustrative examples of how unchecked monopolies can drive up costs for Americans. For instance, the FTC claimed that the pharmaceutical company Teva filed improper patents on prescriptions like inhalers to prevent generic options from being made. It found that the same inhaler that costs $7 in France costs American consumers $500, as Americans are forced to buy the brand name.5 The FTC announced a bipartisan rule in December 2024 banning junk fees for concert tickets and hotel stays, stating, “People deserve to know up front what they are being asked to pay.”6 The FTC also announced that it would look into large artificial intelligence companies that it claimed are given undue influence on markets and are engaging in collusion or price-fixing at casinos and hotels by providing the same algorithms to entire industries that use them to set their prices.7  

President Biden largely stood by the decisions of the FTC, though he declined to renominate Khan to another seven-year term as commissioner. Khan, who stepped down in 2025, garnered mixed reactions from both Republicans and Democrats. Notably, Vice President JD Vance has shown some support, stating that he doesn’t “agree with Lina Khan about everything, but (he) think(s) she’s been smart about going after these big tech companies.”8 

The courts, however, do not always agree. The FTC lost high-profile cases, including antitrust suits it filed against tech companies Meta in 2020 and Microsoft in 2022. Startup founders have complained that that these lawsuits are scaring off investors so much that it’s stifling innovation. Some say the Biden administration’s FTC exercised too much power and are preparing to take action in district courts and, political experts suspect, in the Supreme Court.9 

President Trump, meanwhile, designated Andrew Ferguson as the new chair of the FTC on his first day in office.

Discussion Questions 

  1. Should the Trump administration’s FTC continue the trend of antitrust policies? What might be some benefits and drawbacks of this approach?  
  2. Should there be a legally defined percentage of a given market that one corporation is allowed to have influence or ownership over? How might that affect American consumers? 
  3. How do issues like prescription costs, junk fees, or AI impact your community? Do you think the actions taken by Khan and the FTC will change how they impact you? If so, how? 
  4. How much control should the federal government have in limiting the power of monopolies? How might more control protect or harm consumers? 

As always, we encourage you to join the discussion with your comments or questions below.

Close Up is proud to be the nation’s leading nonprofit civic education organization, working with schools and districts across the country since 1971. If you would like to partner with us or learn more about our experiential learning programs, professional development, or curriculum design and consulting, contact us today! 

 

Sources

Featured Image Credit: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images
[1] The White House: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2021/07/09/remarks-by-president-biden-at-signing-of-an-executive-order-promoting-competition-in-the-american-economy/ 
[2] “60 Minutes”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebQtWZH3TW4 
[3] Department of Justice: https://www.justice.gov/atr/antitrust-laws-and-you  
[4] National Public Radio: https://www.npr.org/2024/12/10/nx-s1-5114999/kroger-albertsons-merger-ftc-lawsuit-court-ruling 
[5] Federal Trade Commission: https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/03/ftc-files-amicus-brief-asthma-inhaler-patent-dispute 
[6] Federal Trade Commission: https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/12/federal-trade-commission-announces-bipartisan-rule-banning-junk-ticket-hotel-fees 
[7] Bloomberg Law: https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/antitrust-risks-to-firms-lurk-inside-some-ai-pricing-algorithms 
[8] CNBC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7MA2EkpRXM 
[9] “60 Minutes”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebQtWZH3TW4 

 

Columbia Gorge News | For Hood River County School District’s Migrant Ed Team, Work is Year-Round

Posted on by Ashleigh Barber

HOOD RIVER — Twenty-five Hood River Valley High School (HRV) students in the migrant education program will head to Washington, D.C., over spring break to take part in the Close Up Foundation’s High School Program, “a six day and five night program for high school students to experience their government in action”.

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The Hill | Here are The Hill’s Changemakers 2024

Posted on by Ashleigh Barber

Welcome to The Hill’s Changemakers: 24 of 2024. For the second year in a row, we’re highlighting both the household names and lesser-known players who are making an impact at the Capitol and around the world. Whether you agree or disagree with them, these two dozen pathfinders are setting the pace and shaking things up in Washington.

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BrowardSchools.com | BCPS Students Participate in Rally to the Tally for New Floridians

Posted on by Ashleigh Barber

Approximately 150 newly arrived immigrants and English Language Learners, who are Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) high school students, will take part in Rally to the Tally for New Floridians from December 10 – 13, 2024. This four-day field trip provides students the opportunity to see first-hand the legislative system at work. Students will visit the state capital and tour Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, the University of Florida and the University of Central Florida.

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The Decline of Local Newspapers

Posted on by Ashleigh Barber

A free press is a crucial part of our democracy—so important that it was enshrined in the First Amendment of the Constitution. Once a staple of information, newspapers have been steadily declining and disappearing for decades. There are nearly 6,000 newspapers that publish in the United States and, on average, two shut down every week.1 Current projections show that by the end of this year, the United States will have lost one-third of the newspapers that it had back in 2005.2 What does a community lose when its newspaper folds?

Newspapers often struggle with high production costs, decreased advertising revenue, and declining readership. These compounding factors can lead newspapers to lay off employees or cut back on how frequently they print as cost-cutting measures. Newspapers that once published daily may now print only a few editions per week. Some have shifted to become online-only publications. Other have shuttered altogether. Newspapers have become increasingly reliant on digital advertising to cover their operational costs, with digital ad sales accounting for nearly half of all revenue they take in.3

A shift to consuming news online, intensified by smartphones, has disrupted traditional news outlets like print media. In a 2023 survey by the Pew Research Center, only nine percent of U.S. adults said they turn to print publications often to get their news, compared to 56 percent who said they get their news digitally.4 The survey also found that nearly one-third of all young Americans get most of their news online from TikTok.5

The Local News Initiative, a project from Northwestern University that tracks local news outlets across the United States, has found that over 1,500 counties have only one local news outlet. More than 200 counties have none at all.6 This lack of local news outlets creates “information deserts” that deprive communities of vital information. Typically, when a newspaper shutters, there are no other news outlets—in print or online—that fill the information gap.7 Rural and low-income communities are more likely to suffer from a lack of quality news.8

“Increasingly, I’m worried that we’re evolving into a nation of journalistic haves and have-nots,” said Penny Abernathy of the Local News Initiative. “That has huge implications for not only our democracy, but for our society.”9 Journalists serve as checks on power, bringing accountability and transparency by investigating and reporting on government officials, school board members, and business owners. Their stories spur local governments to act on issues that they may not otherwise address. By reporting the facts, whether good or bad, they strengthen their community’s faith in local leaders and institutions. But in the last two decades, two-thirds of local reporters have lost their jobs.10 This creates a void of in-depth coverage and quality reporting on relevant topics and pressing issues.

These consequences impact our democracy by enabling “more corruption and irresponsible spending” by local governments and “more straight ticket voting, less competitive elections, and lower turnout” by voters.11 Newspapers keep people informed about the issues their community faces and how their local government functions. They provide updates about upcoming elections, candidates, city ordinances, policing procedures, and educational decisions. When people are aware of what’s going on, they can feel more invested in the success of their community and be more likely to civically engage in it. Conversely, people are less likely to speak out against a policy if they are unaware that it’s being considered by their city council, and they may decide to not vote in a local election if they don’t know about the candidates’ backgrounds or platforms.

The local angle of a story—the voices, opinions, and needs that are important to distinct communities—are lost when news is only available online or through national sources. These types of news can create media echo chambers and increase political partisanship, as they tend to frame stories, for a larger audience, in terms of “this side verses that side.”12 By highlighting conflict, it becomes difficult to see people, even neighbors, as anything other than the political party they belong to or the candidates they vote for. Online sources are also more susceptible to misinformation and disinformation without the journalistic standards practiced by newspaper journalists, editors, and publishers.

The sense of community that comes from knowing local news—even weekly football scores, marriage announcements, and obituaries—creates a common connection that can’t be easily replicated online or on a national level. “Our paper spoiled us,” said Steve Rader, who lives outside a small, rural community in Texas that lost its newspaper last year. “They did so much work. And it was so colorful and beautiful, and they celebrated our successes and our tough times.”13 When asked if the loss of the newspaper felt personal, he replied, “Oh, yes, yes. Yes, that paper was a part of our life.”14

Discussion Questions

  1. Does your community have a newspaper? (You can find out by exploring the Local News Landscape map from the Local News Initiative.) If so, do you or members of your family regularly read it?
  2. What sources do you get your news from?
  3. What are some benefits of having access to the news online? What are some drawbacks?
  4. Why are local newspapers important to communities?
  5. What do you think should be done to support newspapers and local journalism?

Other Resources

As always, we encourage you to join the discussion with your comments or questions below.

Close Up is proud to be the nation’s leading nonprofit civic education organization, working with schools and districts across the country since 1971. If you would like to partner with us or learn more about our experiential learning programs, professional development, or curriculum design and consulting, contact us today! 

 

Sources

Featured Image Credit: Tom Starkweather/Columbia Journalism Review
[1] Axios: https://www.axios.com/2023/11/16/newspapers-decline-hedge-funds-research
[2] Ibid.
[3] Pew Research Center: https://www.pewresearch.org/journalism/fact-sheet/newspapers/
[4] Pew Research Center: https://www.pewresearch.org/journalism/fact-sheet/news-platform-fact-sheet/
[5] Pew Research Center: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/11/15/more-americans-are-getting-news-on-tiktok-bucking-the-trend-seen-on-most-other-social-media-sites/
[6] Local News Initiative: https://localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/projects/state-of-local-news/explore/#/localnewslandscape
[7] Local News Initiative: https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2022/06/newspapers-close-decline-in-local-journalism/
[8] Local News Initiative: https://localnews.knilab.com/projects/state-of-local-news/2023/report/#ethnic-communities
[9] PBS: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/the-connections-between-decline-of-local-news-and-growing-political-division
[10] Local News Initiative: https://localnews.knilab.com/projects/state-of-local-news/2023/report/#ethnic-communities
[11] PBS: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/how-the-loss-of-local-newspapers-fueled-political-divisions-in-the-u-s
[12] Ibid.
[13] Ibid.
[14] Ibid.

 

EducationWeek | Inside a Class Teaching Kids to Stop Scrolling and Think Critically

Posted on by Ashleigh Barber
Washington , D.C. – On a chilly November morning here, Brie Wattier’s 8th graders at the Inspired Teaching Demonstration School had their eyes trained on the slides projected at the front of the class.

“What are the good things about social media?” the slides read. “What are the bad things?”

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Emilea Johnson in the Chicago Tribune | As a First-Time Rural Voter, Our Community Was Overlooked in 2024 Yet Again

Posted on by Ashleigh Barber

Driven by my motivation to address stereotypes about my community and advocate for our needs, I traveled to Washington, D.C., for a weekend in July to attend America in One Room: The Youth Vote. During a few days of passionate political deliberation with more than 400 fellow first-time voters, I was excited to serve as a voice for the rural perspective to my peers who may have never set foot in or even driven through a rural community.

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Why Voting Matters: How Laws and Systems Shape Our Elections and Affect Voters

Posted on by Ashleigh Barber

The Importance of Our Right to Vote

The 2020 election marked the highest voter turnout of the 21st century at 67 percent—the highest since 1900. In a country with a rich history of struggle and sacrifice for the right to vote, why do so many Americans remain disengaged?

Despite the monumental battles for voting rights, including movements for women’s suffrage and civil rights, many people still do not vote. With the 2024 election on the horizon, we will examine one factor that impacts voter turnout: the systems and laws that shape how we vote. From local and state races to the presidential election, voting laws play a critical role in who votes and how their voices are heard. We will also look at some of the less-examined issues connected to this year’s election.

Local and State Elections

Often when citizens think about voting, they’re thinking about the presidential election. However, state and local elections can have far greater effects on our lives. Questions such as public transit funding, the minimum wage, and recycling regulations are decided by state and local elections and officials.

This November, Americans across 41 states will be voting on some 160 statewide ballot measures, including measures covering the controversial question of abortion. The 2022 Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade (1973), putting the issue of abortion and any right to privacy between a woman and her health care provider back into the hands of the states. Because of this, voters in 11 states will be telling their state government whether or not it should protect a right to an abortion. Other ballot measures voters will see in November include those regarding citizenship, electoral systems, criminal justice, policing, taxes, wages, and drug policy.

READ more about this year’s ballot measures across the country.

READ more about Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.

Differences Among Voting Laws

In the United States, there isn’t a federal standard when it comes to voting procedures. Instead, it is the responsibility of the states to create their own. This leads to a plethora of differences in how states run their elections.

To better understand this, let’s look more closely at voter registration laws, voter ID laws, and ranked-choice voting. States such as Pennsylvania, Louisiana, and Arizona have a strict deadline for voters to register. Other states like Virginia, Wyoming, and California don’t have a deadline and voters can register at the polling center on Election Day. When it comes to voting in person, whether early or on Election Day, 15 states do not require a voter to present a valid form of ID to vote. The states that do require voter ID differ in whether or not a valid ID must contain a photo. Other states require signature verification; if the voter signature provided doesn’t match the one on file, that vote will not be counted.

READ more about voter ID laws in different states.

How many candidates someone can vote for also differs from state to state because of a newer process in the United States known as ranked-choice voting. Ranked-choice voting allows voters to rank the candidates rather than choose just one; in the event a voter’s first choice doesn’t receive many votes, their vote then goes to their second and/or third choice. States such as Maine and Alaska have recently implemented this process in statewide elections. Some states, like Colorado and Maryland, use ranked-choice voting in local elections but others, such as Florida and Kentucky, have banned the process entirely. Although ranked-choice voting is new to the United States, countries such as Australia, Malta, and Ireland have used ranked-choice voting for over 100 years and a dozen others implemented the system prior to the United States.

WATCH to learn about the process, pros, and cons of ranked-choice voting.

Differences in How Elections Are Decided

Congressional and gubernatorial elections are decided by a popular vote, but the presidential election is decided by the Electoral College. Some Americans support this system of electing the president, which is outlined in the Constitution. Others believe it is outdated or misrepresentative of the electorate’s intent.

Under the Electoral College system, a candidate must win majority support in states across the country—in smaller, more rural states as well as in larger, more populated states. Supporters say this process ensures that a presidential candidate has broad appeal and that voters in rural areas are not ignored in favor of those in dense population centers. Detractors, however, say the system doesn’t always match the results of the nationwide popular vote and gives outsized importance to voters in “battleground” or “swing” states that could conceivably go for either candidate. This year, for example, voters in battleground states such as Pennsylvania and Georgia could be instrumental in deciding the next president.

The Electoral College system has its merits and drawbacks. But a voter’s perception of their own importance can affect their feelings about casting a ballot. However, it is still incredibly important for all of us as Americans to vote to choose our elected officials and weigh in on statewide ballot measures.

Don’t Sit Out

As we approach the 2024 election, the differences in how our voting systems operate across states—from registration laws to voter ID requirements—can feel overwhelming at times. However, it’s vital to remember that every election, from the local to the national level, carries significant weight. While the Electoral College system may not always reflect the popular vote, each ballot cast plays a role in shaping policy and electing leaders who impact everything from education to health care to civil rights. In a democracy, voting is both a right and a responsibility. Understanding the systems that influence our elections can empower us to make informed choices and ensure our voices are heard where it counts.

Discussion Questions

  1. What would you say to someone who is considering not voting in this election?
  2. Which level of government do you think has the most impact on your day-to-day life? Why?
  3. If you had to choose, which of the following do you believe is the most important reason to vote?
    1. To fulfill your civic duty
    2. To weigh in on laws and ballot measures
    3. To have a say in local and state elections
    4. To have a say in federal (presidential and congressional) elections
  4. Is our voting system set up to best represent the will of the people? What reforms, if any, would you make to our system of elections?
  5. Are voting laws and processes best handled by the states or should there be some federal standards? Explain your reasoning.

As always, we encourage you to join the discussion with your comments or questions below.

Close Up is proud to be the nation’s leading nonprofit civic education organization, working with schools and districts across the country since 1971. If you would like to partner with us or learn more about our experiential learning programs, professional development, or curriculum design and consulting, contact us today! 

 

Sources

Featured Image Credit: Max Pepper/CNN

 

The 2024 USET Impact Week Youth Summit

Posted on by Ashleigh Barber

What is the United South and Eastern Tribes Inc. (USET)?

For over 30 years, Close Up has partnered with USET to foster civic and democratic engagement among students from USET’s member tribal nations. USET is a nonprofit, intertribal organization established in 1969. It serves 33 federally recognized tribal nations from the northeastern woodlands to the Everglades and across the Gulf of Mexico. USET is dedicated to enhancing the development of tribal nations, improving the capabilities of tribal governments, and elevating the quality of life for citizens of its member nations through various technical and supportive programmatic services.

What is the USET Impact Week Youth Summit? 

The 2024 USET Impact Week Youth Summit lasted seven days and six nights and featured workshops on tribal sovereignty, federal politics, and pressing issues facing Indigenous communities across North America. These sessions aimed to cultivate essential leadership skills and empower young people to voice their opinions and actively participate in their communities. Through guided inquiry, workshops, dialogue, and deliberation, attendees learned more about their rights and responsibilities as citizens of tribal nations and members of their communities. The summit also fosters partnerships among tribal communities, allowing youth to share best practices in civic engagement and to learn from one another.

The 2024 USET Impact Week Youth Summit culminated in the presentation of a collective Youth Statement on Sovereignty, articulated by 88 high school students from 18 member tribal nations. This statement highlighted the importance of preserving tribal sovereignty across five sectors:

  1. Education: Tribal nations want control over education to preserve Native American languages and promote accurate historical narratives, stressing the need for support to enhance Indigenous youth’s cultural connections and educational outcomes.
  2. Economic Development: There’s a call for economic sovereignty to increase financial independence and diversify beyond gaming revenues.
  3. Crime and Public Safety: Youth emphasize the need for recognition of tribal nations’ authority to prosecute crimes and advocate for strong federal relationships to ensure community safety.
  4. Land and Natural Resources: The statement highlights that tribal sovereignty includes stewardship of land and resources, urging advocacy to reclaim ancestral lands.
  5. Health Care: Participants call attention to health care disparities and seek culturally responsive solutions and support for Native health care providers to improve community health outcomes.

This collective statement underscores the students’ commitment to defending, exercising, and maintaining tribal sovereignty as vital for the future of their communities.

What is Tribal Sovereignty?

Tribal sovereignty refers to the right of tribal nations to govern themselves and make decisions that suit the needs of their communities. This means they have the authority to manage their affairs, including law enforcement, education, and land stewardship. As of 2024, there are over 574 federally recognized tribes, each with unique cultures, traditions, and government structures. 

Why is Tribal Sovereignty Important to Tribal Nations?

Sovereignty is inherent to tribal nations and holds significant cultural and community meaning for Indigenous peoples throughout the United States. It is also shaped by treaties and agreements made with the U.S. government and recognized through legislation, statutes, executive orders, and Supreme Court rulings. There are many areas in which tribal nations exercise their sovereign status, including:

  • Cultural Preservation: Sovereignty helps tribes maintain their languages, traditions, and identities.
  • Self-Determination: Tribes can make decisions that reflect their needs and values rather than rely on outside governments.
  • Economic Development: Sovereignty allows tribes to develop businesses and create jobs, thereby improving their communities.
  • Legal Authority: Tribes can enforce their own laws and address issues within their communities.
  • Environmental Stewardship: Many tribes prioritize sustainability and protect their natural resources.

Despite its importance, tribal sovereignty faces challenges. Sometimes, state and federal governments might overreach into tribal affairs, which undermines the authority of tribal nations. For example, disputes over land rights, taxation, and criminal jurisdiction can lead to tensions between tribal nations and other government entities.

Conclusion

Participants leave the USET Impact Week Youth Summit feeling empowered and connected to the USET/Close Up community, equipped with knowledge and pride in their identities. By investing in the next generation of Indigenous leaders, USET and Close Up play a vital role in preparing youth to address the evolving challenges within Indian Country. The impact of these experiences is profound, shaping future advocates who will champion their distinct cultures and serve the needs of their diverse communities.

This summit is one of several impactful Close Up programs that focus on helping students study and address the issues affecting Native American youth and their tribal communities. If you would like to learn more about the USET Impact Week Youth Summit, the American Indian and Alaska Native Youth Summit, or other Close Up programming opportunities, reach out to us today!