Senate Agriculture Committee Hears Brian Quintenz Nomination; Ethics, Divestiture and Recusal Plans Draw Scrutiny

President Trump’s nominee to chair the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Brian Quintenz, testified before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry and answered detailed questions about ethics, conflicts of interest and planned divestitures should he be confirmed.

Quintenz said he would “abide by all applicable ethics, statutes and regulations” and described an existing ethics agreement that will require divestiture. “I have a very robust ethics agreement that does require my divestiture,” he told senators, adding that he would use a screener in his office and explore approved methods to meet the required timelines.

Why it matters: The nominee’s recent private‑sector roles — including as global head of policy at Andreessen Horowitz (A16Z) and a seat on the board of an exchange (CalChiX/CalChiX‑type entity discussed in the hearing record) — prompted senators to press Quintenz on how he would avoid both actual conflicts and the appearance of conflicts while overseeing rulemaking and enforcement that could affect former employers or portfolio companies.

Committee members asked for specifics on the timing and mechanics of divestiture. Quintenz committed to divest and to place screeners in his office, and he said there are “a number of approved methods for divesting” that he would pursue. On recusal timelines he referenced prior commitments to recuse “for one or two years” on matters directly involving former firms and said he would follow the applicable ethics rules.

Several senators raised the appearance issue directly. Senator Booker said the nominee’s prior private‑sector work could raise questions about independence; Senator Klobuchar and others pressed Quintenz on how he would navigate remnant ties while protecting the agency’s integrity. Quintenz replied that he “held myself to the highest standards of ethics and integrity” during his prior CFTC service and would follow the same standards if confirmed.

The hearing record contains no formal motions or committee votes on the nomination. Quintenz also pledged to respond to congressional oversight requests if confirmed when asked under oath.

What’s next: The committee left the record open for additional submissions. Any definitive timeline for divestiture or an ethics plan beyond the commitments given at the hearing was not specified in the record.