Senate Judiciary Sends Kanter's Nomination to Floor

The Senate Judiciary Committee reported DOJ Antitrust Division nominee Jonathan Kanter to the Senate floor Thursday by voice vote (see 2110210033). John Cornyn, R-Texas, was the sole no vote. He said he shares Kanter’s concerns about the tech industry’s influence over consumers but is troubled by Kanter potentially moving away from the consumer welfare standard. Cornyn said Kanter has expressed interest in “competitive objectives” outside the traditional scope of antitrust and using antitrust as a “political hammer.” Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., noted support for Kanter from a bipartisan group of nine former Antitrust Division chiefs (see 2109250003), saying he has the experience for the job. The committee 13-9 reported Lucy Koh, nominated to be 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals judge. Voting against Koh were GOP Sens. Cornyn; Josh Hawley, Mo.; Mike Lee, Utah; Ted Cruz, Texas; Ben Sasse, Neb.; Tom Cotton, Ark.; John Kennedy, La.; Thom Tillis, N.C.; and Marsha Blackburn, Tenn.