CLEVELAND, Ohio -- U.S.Rep. Dennis Kucinich said today that his government oversight subcommittee will examine anti-trust laws to ensure that Cleveland is not harmed by the merger of Continental and United airlines.

"I'm prepared to use the full power and authority of my office to see to it that Cleveland's interests are protected and air passengers nationally are protected," said the Cleveland Democrat, who chairs the House Domestic Policy Subcommittee.

Kucinich made his remarks at a joint news conference at City Hall with Mayor Frank Jackson and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown and Cleveland Council President Martin J. Sweeney and Ricky Smith, director of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

Continental Chief Jeff Smisek said earlier today that Hopkins will remain a hub after the merger of the two airlines, which have announced plans to combine to create the world's biggest carrier.

The merger is of concern to Cleveland because Continental maintains a hub at Hopkins, but United uses Chicago's O'Hare International as a hub.

At the morning news conference, Kucinich said his staff has already been in contact with attorneys from the airlines.

Jackson said his goal is to ensure that Hopkins becomes one of the 10 hubs that remain after the merger. He said his goal is to "position Cleveland Hopkins so it's stronger after the merger than before the merger."

The mayor said he and Smisek plan to meet soon to discuss Cleveland's role in the merger.

Brown said he has written to U.S. Secretrary of Transportation Ray LaHood and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder that raises questions about anti-trust aspects of the merger.

"We saw what a merger did to Cincinnati,' Brown said. "We are not going to let that happen in Cleveland."