On April 21, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will hold a hearing on President Biden’s nomination of Lina Khan to serve as FTC Commissioner. (Ms. Khan’s nomination will be considered together with President Biden’s nomination for NASA Administrator.)
Ms. Khan is currently an associate professor at Columbia Law School. If confirmed by the Senate, Ms. Khan will fill the FTC seat vacated by former FTC Chairman Joseph Simons and create a 3-2 Democratic majority, with the Democratic Commissioners consisting of Ms. Khan, Rohit Chopra, and Rebecca Slaughter (who current serves as Acting Chair.) We understand that the White House wishes to delay Mr. Chopra’s confirmation as CFPB Director until Ms. Khan is confirmed to avoid the 2-1 Republican majority that would result if Mr. Chopra were to resign from the FTC before Mr. Simons’ seat is filled.