The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation scheduled a confirmation hearing for President Trump's four FTC nominees. The hearing will take place on Wednesday, February 14, 2018.

The Commissioner nominees being considered are:

Rebecca Slaughter, a Chief Counsel for Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), is reportedly being vetted for the fifth Commission seat.

Commentary

Because of resignations and the timing of expiration of sitting Commissioners' terms, President Trump has a unique opportunity to change the entire leadership of the Commission in one burst. An entirely new set of Commissioners has not been appointed in this way since the initial staffing of the Commission on March 16, 1915. Once all of the President's nominees are confirmed – likely by the summer of 2018 – expect a significant review of the Commission's prior approach to mergers, and privacy and data security issues.

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