In a late Thursday session, the U.S. Senate confirmed Andrew Ferguson and Melissa Holyoak as nominees to fill Republican seats at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Nominated by President Joe Biden in July, both Ferguson and Holyoak received approval via voice vote.
Despite their confirmation, the addition of Ferguson and Holyoak to the FTC does not shift the balance of power, as the commission already had a Democratic majority with Chair Lina Khan and two other Democratic commissioners.
Nonetheless, the appointment of these two Republicans fills a void, as the FTC had been without a Republican commissioner for nearly a year.
Under the Biden administration, the FTC has taken a more aggressive stance on antitrust matters, particularly scrutinizing mergers that could potentially harm consumers or stifle competition.
Recent actions include suing Kroger to block its acquisition of Albertsons, citing concerns about potential price hikes, and filing an antitrust lawsuit against Amazon, accusing the company of monopolistic practices.
Andrew Ferguson brings significant experience to the role, having served as chief counsel to U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and worked for Senators Lindsey Graham and Chuck Grassley.
Melissa Holyoak’s background includes legal practice at O’Melveny & Myers LLP, as well as involvement with organizations such as the Competitive Enterprise Institute and the Center for Class Action Fairness.
With these appointments, Biden aims to strengthen the FTC’s ability to enforce antitrust laws and protect consumer interests. The confirmation underscores the government’s commitment to addressing monopolistic behavior and promoting fair competition in the marketplace.
