Leading a coalition of five attorneys general, AG Bonta submitted a comment letter in response to a Request for Information by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the U.S. Department of Justice (U.S. DOJ), which seeks public input on how to improve the federal government’s review of major mergers before they are completed. A February 2026 ruling by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas struck down revised merger reporting requirements, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit later declined to pause that decision, leaving the earlier outdated reporting framework in place. In the comment letter, the coalition supports expanding the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) notice and submission requirements — the federal process for notifying the FTC and U.S. DOJ about large mergers before they close.

“State attorneys general have proudly challenged harmful mergers in court, and we will continue doing our part to protect consumers. But strong federal oversight is also essential. Federal notice and disclosure requirements help regulators identify potentially anticompetitive deals before they are completed, when action is most effective. We urge the FTC and U.S. DOJ to strengthen these tools and better protect competition in healthcare, housing, and other essential sectors of the economy. These mergers can lead to higher costs, lower quality, and fewer choices for consumers.” – AG Bonta