Congress·In Committee·S. 3548

Congress considers letting states seek money damages over illegal price discrimination that can hurt small businesses

Fair Competition for Small Business Act of 2025

3 months ago·View on Congress.gov

Part of: Bipartisan Push to Combat Price Discrimination Against Small Businesses

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Stalled

No legislative action in over 90 days.

↔Companion bill: Rep. Waters Introduces Fair Competition for Small Business Act to Target Price Discrimination

Legislative Progress

Senate

House

President

Law

Key Points

This bill would let state attorneys general sue for money damages on behalf of residents harmed by illegal price discrimination.
The goal is to make it easier to enforce rules meant to stop big sellers from giving unfairly better prices to some buyers and squeezing out small businesses.
If passed, states could bring these cases as a group action for their people, instead of relying mainly on individual businesses to sue.
Supporters say this could deter unfair pricing tactics and help small retailers compete; opponents may worry it increases lawsuits and compliance costs.

Small BusinessConsumer ProtectionTrade

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

How this policy affects specific groups of people

Mixed Impacts(3)

Renter

Neutral

Homeowner

Neutral

Farmer Rancher

Neutral

Positive Impacts(3)

Small Business Owner

Helps

Gig Worker

Helps

Housing Assistance

Helps

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions

Dec 17, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Dec 17, 2025

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

After the bill is enacted

If Congress passes the bill and it becomes law, states gain clearer authority to sue for money damages for illegal price discrimination.

Small businesses could see more state-led cases aimed at unfair supplier pricing; large buyers and suppliers may adjust discount policies to avoid lawsuits.

Months after enactment, depending on each state’s priorities

State attorneys general decide whether to open investigations and file new cases under the expanded authority.

You may see news of state lawsuits involving supplier discounts and wholesale pricing; outcomes could change local competition or lead to settlements.

Within the first year after enactment

Businesses update pricing, discount, and contracting practices to reduce risk of Robinson-Patman claims.

Some small stores may be offered more comparable wholesale prices; some promotional deals could become more standardized or require more paperwork.

Related News

5 articles

U.S. Senator Cory Booker (Press Release)·3 months ago

Booker, Waters Introduce Fair Competition Act to Safeguard Small Businesses and Strengthen Antitrust Laws

Announcement and summary of the Fair Competition for Small Business Act of 2025, highlighting expanded state attorney general authority to pursue monetary damages for Robinson-Patman Act price discrimination.

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Representative Maxine Waters (Press Release)·3 months ago

Waters, Booker Introduce Fair Competition Act to Safeguard Small Businesses and Strengthen Antitrust Laws

House companion release describing how the bill would amend federal antitrust law to let state attorneys general seek money damages for Robinson-Patman Act price discrimination.

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Reason·3 months ago

A bipartisan push to revive the Robinson-Patman Act could make grocery prices even higher

Opinion/analysis arguing that stepped-up Robinson-Patman enforcement and the Fair Competition for Small Business Act could raise consumer prices by limiting volume discounts and increasing litigation risk.

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