Happy Wednesday! In this week's Big I Buzz: the Independent BROKERS TIME Act is introduced in the Senate, and the DOJ ends defense of the federal ban on noncompete agreements.

Independent BROKERS TIME Act Introduced in Senate

Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) have introduced the Independent Broker Relief and Oversight of Knowingly Egregious and Repetitive Sales Tactics in Medicare Enrollment Act of 2025, better known as the Independent BROKERS TIME Act.

The bipartisan bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to update regulations for independent agents, brokers, and third-party marketing organizations under Medicare Parts C and D. The bill has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee for further consideration. Read more here.

DOJ Drops Defense of Ban on Employee ‘Noncompete’ Agreements

The U.S. Department of Justice has dropped its legal defense of the 2024 Federal Trade Commission rule that banned employee noncompete agreements, which typically prevent workers from joining competitors or starting competing businesses.

The decision follows rulings from two federal judges striking down the rule, and the DOJ has now filed motions to dismiss related appeals in New Orleans and Atlanta. The rule had faced strong opposition from Republicans and business groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson had signaled in February that the agency was reviewing the rule, making this move widely expected. Read more here.

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