DOGE 101: The One Agency Act

By Paul Steidler: With the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) getting a bevy of provocative, dramatic headlines, it is easy to forget that there are plenty of important ways the government can operate more efficiently and save money that frankly does not sound as exciting. Still, the work to advance these measures in the legislative trenches is important and worthy of attention.

Exhibit A is the One Agency Act, proposed legislation to consolidate the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC’s) antitrust activities with those of the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ). The FTC has a two-pronged mission. First, it has a Consumer Protection Bureau that “stops unfair, deceptive and fraudulent business practices by collecting reports from consumers and conducting investigations, suing companies and people that break the law.”

That is quite important work and there is certainly much need for it.

The FTC is also one of two government agencies responsible for investigating “unfair methods of competition” and antitrust enforcement. The FTC and the DoJ can get involved in lengthy turf fights over who can best investigate and sue on an antitrust matter.

This structure is unique to the United States. No other country in the world has designed its enforcement like this, nor would any be likely to do so if it were starting an antitrust enforcement regime from scratch. 

Congressman Ben Cline (R-VA) re-introduced the One Agency Act on January 14, 2025. Under the legislation, the FTC would remain an independent agency, focusing on consumer protection. The FTC’s antitrust enforcement would be consolidated into that of the DoJ.

Congressman Cline also introduced the One Agency Act in the last session of Congress, where it had bipartisan support and passed the House Judiciary Committee 16-7. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) has introduced similar legislation previously.

The One Agency Act is reportedly under consideration as part of the forthcoming reconciliation package. Whether it is enacted there or later in this session, the commonsense measure deserves full and prompt consideration by both the Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives.