Net neutrality, tech antitrust questions anticipated at Senate Commerce FTC confirmation hearing
There will likely be significant interest in nominees’ vision of FTC future direction, especially since the commission has been “deadlocked” since now-former Commissioner Edith Ramirez resigned last February (see 1701130030), said R Street Institute Tech Policy Manager Tom Struble. The four would give the FTC a 3-1 Republican majority, with Chopra the Democrat. Simons would replace current Democratic Commissioner Terrell McSweeny, whose term has expired but who can stay.
Some will be watching to see whether Simons or the others aim to continue priorities acting FTC Chairman Maureen Ohlhausen set when she took the reins shortly after Trump became president, Struble said. The FTC has “limited resources so they have to pick and choose their battles wisely,” he said.
