Chairmen Upton and Thune Request Pause on Controversial FTC Regulations

House Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-SD) sent a letter to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Edith Ramirez requesting a pause on any controversial new regulations.

“We are writing to express our thoughts about the pending [Federal Trade Commission (FTC)] agenda in light of the recent election and upcoming transition. While the leadership of the [FTC] will soon change, congressional oversight of the Commission will continue. Therefore, any action taken by [FTC] before a new chairman is designated will receive particular scrutiny. While we expect and encourage the [FTC] to continue its routine merger reviews and consumer protection enforcement in support of competition and on behalf of American consumers, we strongly encourage the [FTC] to avoid directing its attention and resources in the coming months on complex, partisan, or otherwise controversial items that the new Congress and new Administration will have an interest in reviewing.”