Competitive Enterprise Institute

Are Obamacare enrollment figures overstating the number of people actually covered? CEI's Eleanor McNichols examines new data suggesting millions of ACA enrollees may be improperly receiving subsidies, with the largest discrepancies concentrated among those reporting incomes near key subsidy thresholds.

The fraud problem hidden in the subsidy debate - Competitive Enterprise Institute Last fall, critics argued that under the Republican budget plan, 22.4 million people would see their Obamacare subsidies reduced to prepandemic levels. As Jeremy Nighossian pointed out at the time, that 22.4 million figure was misleading for a number of...

The SEC's Consolidated Audit Trail was created to help regulators monitor market activity, but CEI's Richard Morrison argues it has evolved into a costly surveillance system that collects vast amounts of financial data on ordinary Americans. He contends the program raises serious privacy, cybersecurity, and constitutional concerns that warrant its elimination.

Time to end the SEC's surveillance of everybody's finances - Competitive Enterprise Institute Today is the deadline for filing regulatory comments on the Securities and Exchange Commission's Consolidated Audit Trail (CAT) program. The CAT is a massive database mandated by the SEC (via Rule 613) to track all orders, cancellations, modifications, ...

Congress is once again considering AICOA, a bill aimed at regulating large digital platforms. CEI staff argue the legislation would undermine innovation, weaken privacy and security protections, and ultimately leave consumers worse off.

AICOA's heavy-handed approach would harm consumers, stifle innovation, and degrade security and privacy - Competitive Enterprise Institute Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) re-introduced a modified version of the American Innovation and Choice Online Act (AICOA), which introduces new regulations on digital platforms, including provisions banning so-called self pr...

Americans are already facing a difficult housing market in which buying a home or making renovations has become more expensive. CEI's ,Finance and Monetary Policy Analyst argues the quartz tariff could destroy 13 jobs for every 1 it creates.

A quartz countertop tariff could double your kitchen renovation cost -- and kill 13 jobs for every one it creates - Competitive Enterprise Institute Americans are already facing a difficult housing market in which buying a home or making renovations has become more expensive. Even something as basic as replacing a kitchen countertop now carries a higher price tag than it did a few years ago. A propo...

The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged in June as policymakers weigh persistent inflation against signs of economic weakness. CEI analysts say the decision reflects both economic uncertainty and the Fed's effort to maintain independence from political pressure.

Federal Reserve moves to keep interest rates steady during its June meeting: CEI analysis - Competitive Enterprise Institute The Fed has decided to keep interest rates where they are, signaling the focus is still on economic uncertainty and asserting its independence from the federal government. CEI Senior Economist Ryan Young: “Kevin Warsh's first meeting ended with a unanim...

The Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged this month, signaling that uncertainty still dominates the economic outlook. CEI analysts examine the implications.

Federal Reserve moves to keep interest rates steady during its June meeting: CEI analysis - Competitive Enterprise Institute The Fed has decided to keep interest rates where they are, signaling the focus is still on economic uncertainty and asserting its independence from the federal government. CEI Senior Economist Ryan Young: “Kevin Warsh's first meeting ended with a unanim...

Illinois is testing a new approach to interchange fee regulation. CEI's Steve Swedberg argues the likely outcome is more paperwork, more compliance costs, and fewer benefits for consumers and small businesses.

Report: Government limit on credit card interchange fees undermines consumers, small businesses - Competitive Enterprise Institute A new Competitive Enterprise Institute report examines an Illinois law that will limit credit card interchange fees paid by merchants to the banks and credit unions that issue such cards. The report argues that the Illinois Interchange Fee Prohibition A...

America's national parks face a $24 billion maintenance backlog, yet entrance fees at many popular parks haven't increased since 2018. CEI's Jacob Tomasulo argues that updating visitor fees and expanding user-funded revenue could help preserve parks while reducing reliance on taxpayers.

Legislators should increase entrance fees to fund national parks - Competitive Enterprise Institute On August 4, 2020, the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) was signed into law. Among other things, the law funnels up to 50 percent of all revenue from energy development on federal lands and waters into an account called the Legacy Restoration Fund (LR...

The Fed held interest rates steady in June, highlighting ongoing concerns about inflation and economic uncertainty. CEI experts explain what the decision means for markets, consumers, and the Fed's independence.

Federal Reserve moves to keep interest rates steady during its June meeting: CEI analysis - Competitive Enterprise Institute The Fed has decided to keep interest rates where they are, signaling the focus is still on economic uncertainty and asserting its independence from the federal government. CEI Senior Economist Ryan Young: “Kevin Warsh's first meeting ended with a unanim...

Policymakers should look beyond the promise of lower credit card merchant fees and ask who ultimately bears the cost. CEI's Steve Swedberg explores why interchange fee restrictions often produce unintended consequences throughout the economy.

Report: Government limit on credit card interchange fees undermines consumers, small businesses - Competitive Enterprise Institute A new Competitive Enterprise Institute report examines an Illinois law that will limit credit card interchange fees paid by merchants to the banks and credit unions that issue such cards. The report argues that the Illinois Interchange Fee Prohibition A...