Upton & Thune Request Pause on Controversial Regulations

Committee Leaders Request a Pause on “complex, partisan, or otherwise controversial items” at the FTC and CPSC Before the Start of the New Congress

November 22, 2016

WASHINGTON – House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) and Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.) today sent letters to both Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Edith Ramirez and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Chairman Elliot Kaye requesting a pause on any controversial new regulations.

“The American people decided to make a change on November 8th – seeking a return to pro-growth, business-and-consumer-friendly regulations that put jobs first,” commented Upton and Thune. “We urge the leaders of the FTC and CPSC to pay close attention to the wishes of the American people and refrain from that could create uncertainty for consumers and businesses.”

Upton and Thune write:

“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.”

To read the letter to the FTC, click here.

To read the letter to the CPSC, click here.

 

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