Today, the U.S. Senate voted to confirm Mark Meador to the Federal Trade Commission, despite President Trump illegally terminating Democratic Commissioners Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya in violation of both the statute that created the FTC and Supreme Court precedent. Public Knowledge applauds those who voted against Mr. Meador’s nomination due to this unlawful termination that poses a “direct attack on the independence of an agency that has long served as a cornerstone of consumer protection,” as explained in our letter to Senate leadership. Public Knowledge specifically commends Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and other Senate Democrats who voted against this nomination.
The following can be attributed to Sara Collins, Director of Government Affairs at Public Knowledge:
“We would like to thank Sens. Schumer, Cantwell, and the rest of the Senate Dems for having the courage to champion an independent FTC by voting ‘no’ on Mr. Meador’s nomination. In order for the FTC to be effective, it needs to have five independent commissioners doing the work. By voting ‘no’ on this confirmation, these senators have shown that it is still important to prioritize protecting consumers and supporting a healthier marketplace over turning a blind eye to President Trump’s unlawful termination of Democratic Commissioners Slaughter and Bedoya.
“Now that Mr. Meador has been confirmed as an FTC Commissioner, Public Knowledge urges him to have the courage and will to protect American consumers and markets first, rather than unquestioningly obey this increasingly lawless White House.”
You may view our blog post, “Competition and Consumer Protection Need Reinforcements: Why the FTC Should Remain Independent,” for more information.
Members of the media may contact Communications Director Shiva Stella with inquiries, interview requests, or to join the Public Knowledge press list at shiva@publicknowledge.org or 405-249-9435.