Senate committee scrutinizes FTC under Chairwoman Lisa Khan's controversial leadership
September 21, 2023 | Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Senate Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation
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The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation convened on September 21, 2023, for a nominations hearing focused on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The meeting aimed to discuss the qualifications of nominees and the current challenges facing these agencies.
The session began with remarks from Senator Cruz, who reflected on his previous experience at the FTC. He expressed concern over the agency's current direction under Chairwoman Lisa Khan, citing a shift towards a partisan agenda that he believes exceeds the agency's legal authority. Cruz highlighted several actions taken by the FTC, including aggressive enforcement against political opponents and attempts to regulate various sectors of the economy without proper authorization. He noted a significant decline in employee morale at the FTC, with a 38% drop in staff confidence regarding leadership integrity since Khan's tenure began.
Following Cruz's comments, the committee welcomed nominees, including Mister Ferguson and Miss Holyoke, who serve as solicitors general for Virginia and Utah, respectively. The discussion shifted to the FTC's critical role in consumer protection, particularly in light of rising fraud reports, which reached $8.8 billion in 2022—a 30% increase from the previous year. Senators emphasized the need for the FTC to address issues such as corporate consolidation, market manipulation, and data privacy.
Senator Cantwell raised concerns about the impact of petroleum market transparency on consumer prices, particularly in states like Washington, where gasoline prices have surged. She urged the nominees to commit to robust enforcement efforts and to support legislation aimed at enhancing consumer privacy protections.
The meeting concluded with a call for collaboration among committee members to restore the FTC's capabilities and ensure consumer safety through the CPSC. The committee's agenda underscored the importance of these agencies in safeguarding American consumers amid evolving market challenges.
The session began with remarks from Senator Cruz, who reflected on his previous experience at the FTC. He expressed concern over the agency's current direction under Chairwoman Lisa Khan, citing a shift towards a partisan agenda that he believes exceeds the agency's legal authority. Cruz highlighted several actions taken by the FTC, including aggressive enforcement against political opponents and attempts to regulate various sectors of the economy without proper authorization. He noted a significant decline in employee morale at the FTC, with a 38% drop in staff confidence regarding leadership integrity since Khan's tenure began.
Following Cruz's comments, the committee welcomed nominees, including Mister Ferguson and Miss Holyoke, who serve as solicitors general for Virginia and Utah, respectively. The discussion shifted to the FTC's critical role in consumer protection, particularly in light of rising fraud reports, which reached $8.8 billion in 2022—a 30% increase from the previous year. Senators emphasized the need for the FTC to address issues such as corporate consolidation, market manipulation, and data privacy.
Senator Cantwell raised concerns about the impact of petroleum market transparency on consumer prices, particularly in states like Washington, where gasoline prices have surged. She urged the nominees to commit to robust enforcement efforts and to support legislation aimed at enhancing consumer privacy protections.
The meeting concluded with a call for collaboration among committee members to restore the FTC's capabilities and ensure consumer safety through the CPSC. The committee's agenda underscored the importance of these agencies in safeguarding American consumers amid evolving market challenges.
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