Rep. Ruben Gallego of Arizona's 3rd Congressional District has been busy advocating for measures that aim to ease the financial burden on his constituents, as evidenced by his recent interaction with FTC Chair Lina Khan. "Arizona is booming, but too many families continue to struggle to afford their rent or their weekly trip to the grocery store," Gallego said, according to a press release on his official website. With a focus on preserving competition and keeping prices in check across various sectors, the congressman discussed multiple initiatives, including opposition to the proposed Kroger-Albertsons merger and proposed legislation aimed at cracking down on hidden fees.
Notably, the representative's actions include a push for an FTC investigation into RealPage, which allegedly engages in anticompetitive pricing practices in the rental housing market. Gallego also opposes the Kroger Company's acquisition of Albertsons Companies under the fear that it could lead to increased prices and fewer choices for Arizona shoppers. He's actively supporting small businesses through by initiating the Junk Fees Prevention Act—a piece of legislation that would empower the FTC and the FCC to tackle hidden fees in several industries, an effort which has found some bipartisan footing in the House.
Another significant piece of legislation introduced by Gallego is the Drought Related Overpricing Prevention (DROP) Act, confronting the dire circumstances drought brings by regulating water rights in parched Arizona. This act would instruct the FTC to set forth regulations to prevent excessive pricing of water rights in areas suffering from drought. Furthermore, Gallego urged the FTC to look into market consolidation among Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) to facilitate reduced drug costs. His drive to mandate PBMs' transparent reporting of drug prices and other relevant information is aligned with his wider approach to consumer protection.
During their meeting, Chair Khan and Rep. Gallego found common ground in tackling the issues that affect everyday Arizonans. "Protecting competition, ensuring fair business practices, and looking out for small businesses are critical to lowering costs – and that’s where the FTC comes in," Gallego told his constituents. The dialogue between the FTC and the congressman reflects a shared sense of urgency in addressing the economic challenges faced by consumers in Arizona and across the nation.
