Democrats preview how they'd go after the Ticketmaster settlement if they regain power

"A handful of Democrats called an unofficial hearing on Capitol Hill Monday to slam the Department of Justice's "trivial" and "pathetic" settlement with Live Nation-Ticketmaster, previewing how they might go after Trump administration antitrust deals if they win back congressional power in November."

"While the DOJ settlement with Live Nation, which came one week into trial and with a promise of up to $280 million, received copious pushback, Democrats don't at the moment have the power in either chamber to set committee agendas. That meant that Monday's so-called shadow hearing looked different than most official proceedings."

"Instead of sitting at the elevated seats behind the dais, the lawmakers sat at tables below, eye level with witnesses including California Attorney General Rob Bonta, one of the AGs continuing the fight against Live Nation-Ticketmaster, ousted Trump administration antitrust official Roger Alford, and several entertainment industry players, including a member of the band The Hold Steady."

"Several artists asked to appear at the forum declined out of fear for their livelihoods, according to House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-MD), who co-hosted the forum with Senate Homeland Security permanent subcommittee on investigations Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)."

Democrats held an unofficial Capitol Hill forum criticizing the Department of Justice settlement with Live Nation-Ticketmaster as trivial and pathetic. The DOJ settlement arrived one week into trial and promised up to $280 million, but faced significant pushback. Democrats currently lack control of committee agendas in either chamber, so the event functioned as a “shadow hearing” rather than an official proceeding. Lawmakers sat at tables with witnesses including California Attorney General Rob Bonta, ousted Trump administration antitrust official Roger Alford, and entertainment industry participants. Some artists declined to appear due to concerns about their livelihoods. California’s attorney general indicated that an even broader breakup of Live Nation remains on the table.

Read at The Verge