CD315: Judicial Power
Congressional Dish
Recent Supreme Court decisions have significantly altered the balance of power in the federal government, forcing Congress to rethink how it writes laws. In this episode, learn which decisions caused the shift, what the consequences are, how Congress is responding, and what options exist to push back against this new reality. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via Support Congressional Dish via (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to: [email protected] Send Venmo payments to: @Jennifer-Briney Send Cash App payments to:...
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CD314: Greenland
Congressional Dish
President Trump keeps saying the United States needs to "have Greenland," but why? In this episode, listen to testimony to Congress about the idea of the United States taking ownership of Greenland, which is not being laughed out of the room. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via Support Congressional Dish via (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to: [email protected] Send Venmo payments to: @Jennifer-Briney Send Cash App payments to: $CongressionalDish or [email protected] Use your bank’s online bill pay...
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CD313: Democratic Deception
Congressional Dish
There is a lot of public anger towards nine Democratic Party Senators for helping Republicans pass a funding bill into law in mid-March. In this episode, we examine the details of the funding law in order to understand the deceptions that lead to that anger. Americans are being played.
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CD312: Threatening Panama's Canal
Congressional Dish
President Trump has been threatening to “take back” the Panama Canal since he regained power. In this episode, listen to testimony from officials serving on the Federal Maritime Commission who explain why the Panama Canal has become a focus of the administration and examine whether or not we need to be concerned about an impending war for control of the canal. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via Support Congressional Dish via (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to: Send Venmo payments to: @Jennifer-Briney Send Cash App...
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CD311: The Laken Riley Act
Congressional Dish
The Laken Riley Act is a new law that legalizes the indefinite imprisonment and deportation of possibly innocent legal immigrants. In this episode, we examine the law to see how it legalizes such injustices and we look at the profit motive behind expanding our prison population. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via Support Congressional Dish via (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to: [email protected] Send Venmo payments to: @Jennifer-Briney Send Cash App payments to: $CongressionalDish or...
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CD310: Red Flags at Air Traffic Control
Congressional Dish
67 people died this week in a mid-air collision between a military helicopter and a passenger plane in Washington DC. The investigation into this crash is still in its infancy but Congress was warned just a few weeks ago that there are many dangers lurking in our air traffic system, dangers that Congress recently made worse at Reagan Washington National Airport, where the crash took place. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via Support Congressional Dish via (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to: [email protected] Send...
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CD309: Trumped Up Immunity
Congressional Dish
President Donald Trump is back in power despite his illegal attempt to remain President after losing the 2020 election. In this episode, hear expert testimony about the Supreme Court decision that stemmed from the now-defunct Federal prosecution of Donald Trump which granted the President legal immunity for many actions. What does it mean going forward? What can and can’t he do? Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via Support Congressional Dish via (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to: [email protected] Send Venmo...
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CD308: A Chaotic Finale
Congressional Dish
The 118th Congress came to an unexpectedly — though not necessarily surprisingly — chaotic end. In this episode, hear about all the drama that averted a government shutdown, learn what became law, and examine what could have become law if it weren’t for Elon Musk. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via Support Congressional Dish via (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to: [email protected] Send Venmo payments to: @Jennifer-Briney Send Cash App payments to: $CongressionalDish or [email protected] Use...
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CD307: Immaculate Constellation
Congressional Dish
U.S. military whistleblowers have told Congress about secret programs related to non-human piloted aircraft and submersibles. In this episode, listen to testimony from additional whistleblowers who add more information to what we have already learned, listen to the response from the person at the Defense Department in charge of investigating these claims, and learn about a secret program called Immaculate Constellation, which allegedly has a hidden treasure trove of evidence that we are not alone. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via Support...
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CD306: The Food Police
Congressional Dish
Immediately after we published the Freaky Food episode, the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration testified to the Senate and provided valuable insights into why our food supply is concerning for all the reasons exposed in episode 305. In this episode, listen to testimony from two hearings with FDA officials as we finish this series looking into the hidden dangers inside our food. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via Support Congressional Dish via (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to: [email protected] Send...
info_outlineLive Nation and Ticketmaster merged over a decade ago and Congress is concerned - for good reason - that the company is exerting monopoly powers over the live event industry. In this episode, learn how the merger was allowed to happen in the first place, the problems that industry participants and competitors are having with the company, and what Congress is thinking of doing about it.
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Background Sources
Event Ticketing Market
“Event Ticket Sales: Market Characteristics and Consumer Protection Issues” [GAO-18-347]. Apr 12, 2018. U.S. Government Accountability Office.
Live Nation Overview
“Live Nation Entertainment Website.”
“Live Nation Entertainment 2021 Annual Report”
“Live Nation Entertainment: Totals.” Open Secrets.
“Live Nation Entertainment: Lobbying.” Open Secrets.
Ticketmaster
“Everyone hates Ticketmaster. Is everyone wrong?” August Brown. Jan 24, 2023. The Seattle Times.
Taylor Swift
“Taylor Swift ‘Ticket Sale Disaster’ Sparks Suit Against Ticketmaster, Live Nation.” Ashley Cullins. Dec 5, 2022. The Hollywood Reporter.
“Taylor Swift on Ticketmaster Tech Issues: ‘We Were Assured’ They Could Handle the Demand.” Caitlin Huston. Nov 18, 2022. The Hollywood Reporter.
“Taylor Swift Tour: Live Nation CEO Says ‘Everybody Crashed the Door’ During Presale.” Caitlin Huston. Nov 17, 2022. The Hollywood Reporter.
Bad Bunny
“Spending a Month’s Salary to See Bad Bunny, Only to Be Turned Away.” Maria Abi-Habib. Dec 16, 2022. The New York Times.
“Ticketmaster Crashes Right on Cue During Bad Bunny Ticket Sale.” Dylan Smith. Apr 15, 2021. Digital Music News.
BTS
“BTS Vegas Sells Out as Ticketmaster Verified Fan Fails Fans (Again)” Dave Clark. Mar 3, 2022. Ticket News.
“BTS SoFi Stadium Concert Tickets Sold Out In Pre-sale; ARMY Expresses Disdain On Twitter.” Fengyen Chiu. Oct 11, 2021. Republic World.
Adele
“Sky-High ‘Dynamic’ Adele Ticket Prices Sting ‘Verified’ Fans.” Dave Clark. Dec 8, 2021. Ticket News.
Pixies
“Everyone Hates Ticketmaster — But No One Can Take It Down.” Steve Knopper. Nov 1, 2010. Wired.
Bruce Sprintsteen
“Bruce Springsteen Defends High Ticket Prices for Upcoming Tour.” Alex Young. Nov 18, 2022. Consequence Sound.
“Bruce Springsteen ‘Furious’ At Ticketmaster, Rails Against Live Nation Merger.” Daniel Kreps. Feb 4, 2009. Rolling Stone.
Pearl Jam
“1994: A look back at when Pearl Jam took on Ticketmaster.” Shawn Garrett. Nov 17, 2022. KIRO 7 News.
“Pearl Jam: Taking on Ticketmaster.” Eric Boehlert. Dec 28, 1995. Rolling Stone.
“Pearl Jam Musicians Testify On Ticketmaster's Prices.” Reuters. Jul 1, 1994. The New York Times.
Ticketmaster Scalper Program
“Ticketmaster Resale Returns to Broker-Focused Conferences Despite Past Controversy.” Dave Clark. Jul 8, 2021. Ticket News.
“'Hand caught in a cookie jar': Band managers demand answers about Ticketmaster's secret scalper program.” Rachel Houlihan et al. Oct 18, 2018. CBC News.
“'A public relations nightmare': Ticketmaster recruits pros for secret scalper program.” Dave Seglins et al. Sep 19, 2018. CBC News.
Antitrust Policy and Enforcement
“Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Doha Mekki of the Antitrust Division Delivers Remarks at Mercatus Center Second Annual Antitrust Forum: Policy in Transition.” Doha Mekki. Jan 26, 2023. U.S. Department of Justice.
“Competitive Edge: Structural presumption in U.S. merger control policy would strengthen modern antitrust enforcement.” John Kwoka. Dec 19, 2018. Washington Center for Equitable Growth.
“Supreme Court Overrules 96 Year-Old Rule in Dr. Miles and Holds Vertical Price Agreements Are Neither Per Se Illegal Nor Per Se Legal, But Subject to Case-By-Case Test.” Jul 5, 2007. Sheppard Mullin.
“In Major Antitrust Decision, Supreme Court Overrules 1911 Precedent to Declare Vertical Minimum Price Restraints to Be Governed by Rule of Reason.” Alan S. Middleton. Jul 3, 2007. Davis Wright Tremaine LLP.
“Section 7 of the Clayton Act: Its Application to the Conglomerate Merger.” Richard B. Blackwell. March 1972 *13(3). William & Mary Law Review.
Mergers and Monopoly Power
“Anti-Monopoly Basics: Monopoly by the Numbers.” Open Markets Institute.
Live Nation-Ticketmaster Merger
“U.S. and Plaintiff States v. Ticketmaster Entertainment, Inc. and Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.” U.S. Department of Justice.
- Final Judgment (July 2010)
- Motion to Modify Final Judgment and Enter Amended Final Judgment (January 2020)
- Amended Final Judgment (January 2020)
Kroger-Albertsons Merger
“Kroger-Albertsons Merger Faces Long Road Before Approval.” Julie Creswell. Jan 23, 2023. The New York Times.
“FTC issues 2nd request to Kroger on planned Albertsons acquisition.” Russell Redman. Dec 6, 2022. Winsight Grocery Business.
Laws
S.3183 - BOTS Act of 2016
Bills
S.225 - Competition and Antitrust Law Enforcement Reform Act of 2021
Sponsor: Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Audio Sources
That’s the Ticket: Promoting Competition and Protecting Consumers in Live Entertainment
January 24, 2023
Senate Committee on the Judiciary
Witnesses:
Joe Berchtold, President and Chief Financial Officer, Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.
Jack Groetzinger, Chief Executive Officer, SeatGeek, Inc.
Jerry Mickelson, Chief Executive Officer and President, Jam Productions, LLC
Sal Nuzzo, Senior Vice President, The James Madison Institute
Kathleen Bradish, Vice President for Legal Advocacy, American Antitrust Institute
Clyde Lawrence, Singer-songwriter, Lawrence
The Ticketmaster/Live Nation Merger: What Does it Mean for Consumers and the Future of the Concert Business?
February 24, 2009
Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights
Witnesses:
Irving Azoff, Chief Executive Officer, Ticketmaster Entertainment, Inc.
Jerry Mickelson, Chairman and Executive Vice President, JAM Productions
Michael Rapino, President and Chief Executive Officer, Live Nation, Inc.
David A. Balto, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress Action Fund
Seth Hurwitz, Co-Owner, I.M.P. Productions and 9:30 Club
Pearl Jam vs. Ticketmaster (1994)
YouTube
Cover Art
Design by Only Child Imaginations