RELEASE: Rep. Friedman Leads 34 California Members of Congress in Supporting Attorney General Bonta’s Review of Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, May 7, 2026, U.S. Congresswoman Laura Friedman (CA-30) announced that she led 34 California Members of Congress in expressing support for California Attorney General Rob Bonta's review of the proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Paramount Skydance. The California lawmakers thanked the Attorney General for his commitment to conduct a "full and robust review" of the deal, expressed concern that the merger could harm California workers and consumers, and urged him to closely analyze its potential effects.

"We remain concerned that the proposed merger could harm California workers and consumers," wrote the 34 California Members of Congress to Attorney General Bonta. "Importantly, the proposed merger does not occur in a vacuum. Decades of consolidation in this industry have already resulted in reduced output, higher prices, fewer choices, and less innovation, while merged studios face few consequences for breaking their pre-merger promises."

The letter also highlighted the unprecedented politicization of antitrust enforcement by the Trump Administration: "Given that we cannot have confidence that the Trump Administration review of the merger will be conducted according to the law, and with the best interests of American workers and consumers in mind, it is even more vital that you conduct a thorough, independent review," the 34 lawmakers wrote.

CALIFORNIA'S ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY CRISIS:

• In just the past year, on-location production in the greater Los Angeles area declined 13.2%, for the July through September 2025 period.
• More than 42,000 jobs in Los Angeles County's motion picture industry were lost from 2022 to 2024.
• Paramount is projecting $6 billion in expense cuts over three years if the merger proceeds, with analysts predicting significant job losses.
• Decades of entertainment industry consolidation have already reduced output, raised prices, limited consumer choices, and stifled innovation-while merged studios face few consequences for breaking pre-merger promises.

The letter was signed by Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Judy Chu (CA-28), Gilbert Cisneros (CA-31), Lou Correa (CA-46), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Laura Friedman (CA-30), John Garamendi (CA-08), Jimmy Gomez (CA-35), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Mike Levin (CA-49, Sam Liccardo (CA-16), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18, Doris Matsui (CA-07), Dave Min (CA-47), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Scott Peters (CA-50), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Mark Takano (CA-39), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Norma Torres (CA-35), Derek Tran (CA-45), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Maxine Waters (CA-43), and George Whitesides (CA-27).

The full text of the letter is available here and below.

The Honorable Rob Bonta

Office of the Attorney General

California Department of Justice

1300 I Street

Sacramento, CA 95814-2919

Dear Attorney General Bonta:

We write to thank you for your commitment to conduct a "full and robust review" of the proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Paramount Skydance. We remain concerned that the proposed merger could harm California workers and consumers. We therefore respectfully urge you to closely analyze the potential effects of this merger and, if you determine that this merger would have anticompetitive effects, use your best judgement to pursue the appropriate course of action.

California's film industry has already endured enormous disruption as production has increasingly left the state. On-location production in the greater Los Angeles area declined 13.2% from July through September 2025 compared to the same period last year. This reduction builds on the loss of more than 42,000 jobs in Los Angeles County's motion picture industry from 2022-2024. It has had a devastating effect on the workers and their families who form the backbone of Hollywood's creative economy. Simultaneously, we've continued to watch as these jobs, and many companies, have left the United States altogether for foreign venues abroad.

Paramount is projecting to cut $6 billion in expenses over three years should this merger proceed. Analysts predict that many of these savings will be accomplished through significant job loss.

Importantly, the proposed merger does not occur in a vacuum. Decades of consolidation in this industry have already resulted in reduced output, higher prices, fewer choices, and less innovation, while merged studios face few consequences for breaking their pre-merger promises.

It is also impossible to overlook the unprecedented politicization of antitrust enforcement by the Trump Administration. Given that we cannot have confidence that the Trump Administration review of the merger will be conducted according to the law, and with the best interests of American workers and consumers in mind, it is even more vital that you conduct a thorough, independent review. California has a long history of fighting for the rights of workers and consumers. We applaud you for carrying that mantle forward and urge you to closely scrutinize this merger. We support your investigative efforts and thank you for your leadership at this critical moment.

Sincerely,

[SIGNED MEMBERS OF CONGRESS]

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