The U.S. Senate has confirmed Virginia Solicitor General Andrew Ferguson and Utah Solicitor General Melissa Holyoak as the new Republican members of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). President Joe Biden made their nominations in July, and they were approved by voice vote late Thursday.
The appointments of Ferguson and Holyoak will not change the balance of power at the FTC, which is currently chaired by Democrat Lina Khan, with two Democratic commissioners. The FTC enforces antitrust laws and rules against deceptive advertising.
The Senate also approved a new term for Democratic FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter. The agency has been without a Republican commissioner for nearly a year.
Republican Nominee (Credits: Los Angeles Times)
Under the Biden administration, the FTC has taken a tougher stance against mergers that may lead to higher prices for consumers or stifle innovation.
Last month, the FTC sued supermarket chain Kroger to block its $24.6 billion deal to buy smaller rival Albertsons, citing concerns about increased grocery prices.
In September, the FTC filed an antitrust lawsuit against Amazon, accusing the online retailer of operating an illegal monopoly by allegedly preventing sellers on its platform from offering products more cheaply elsewhere. The trial is set for October 2026.
Republican Nominee (Credits: The Seattle Times)
Ferguson previously served as chief counsel to U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell from 2019 to 2021 and has also worked for Senators Lindsey Graham and Chuck Grassley.
Holyoak has worked as an associate at the law firm O’Melveny & Myers LLP and at the Hamilton Lincoln Law Institute, focusing on fighting class action lawsuits and regulation. She has also worked at the Competitive Enterprise Institute and the Center for Class Action Fairness.
