James Oberstar (D-Minn.) introduced legislation meant to ensure "adequate airline competition between the United States and Europe" by more closely scrutinizing antitrust-immunized alliances

U.S. Rep. . The bill would require the U.S. Government Accountability Office to suggest any necessary changes to the U.S. Department of Transportation's policies in examining immunity requests, and determine "whether DOT should exercise the right it has reserved to amend, modify or revoke any antitrust immunity previously granted." Oberstar's proposal also would "sunset all immunity grants three years after the date of enactment," but allow airlines to reapply. "It is important to assess whether these immunized alliances have resulted in a reduction of competition, increase in prices or other adverse effects or have used their market power to foreclose rival airlines from  competing at alliance dominated hubs," he said.