Lina Khan, the Progressive Tech Critic, President Biden Nominated to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), won Bipartisan Approval from the Senate Commerce Committee. on Wednesday, earning Support from All but Four GOP Members.
The Panel agreed to move forward with Khan’s Nomination by Voice Vote. Sens. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mike Lee (R-UT), and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), asked to be Recorded as Opposed to Putting Khan on the FTC.
Khan's Support from Republicans, Eight of the Panel's 12 GOP Members voted in her Favor, may indicate growing Bipartisan appetite for Reining in Major Online Platforms like: Apple, Facebook, and Google.
At her Confirmation Hearing, last month, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) praised Khan's Accomplishments, saying he looked forward to Working with her.
On Wednesday, Commerce’s Top Republican, Sen. Roger Wicker (MS), said he has Concerns about “over-regulation,” but decided to Support Khan’s Nomination.
Khan "is focused on addressing one of the most pressing issues of the day: reining in the big social media platforms," Wicker said.
Consumer and Anti-Monopoly Groups hailed the Vote as a Sign the Biden Administration intends to Hold Tech Companies Accountable and Reinvigorate Antitrust enforcement.
"We believe Ms. Khan is willing and capable to hold Big Tech accountable, delivering results for farmers, consumers and nascent competitors who are being squeezed by overly concentrated markets," said U.S. PIRG, a Federation of Public Interest Groups focused on Consumers.
A Professor at Columbia Law School and former House Judiciary Aide, Khan, 32, will be the Youngest Person ever to serve on the FTC if Confirmed, a concern some Republicans have raised by saying she doesn't have the Experience for the Role.
Khan's Supporters have pushed back, noting that several Republican FTC Commissioners have been about the same age and level of experience when they joined the Agency. David Clanton, a Republican who was Nominated by then-President Gerald Ford, was also 32 when he took Office. Josh Wright and current FTC Commissioner, Noah Phillips, both Republicans, were in their 30s when they joined.
Khan was Nominated to fill the Post left Open when Trump’s FTC Chair, Republican Joseph Simons, Stepped Down in January.
Next is the Confirmation of Democratic Commissioner Rohit Chopra to Head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
Chopra’s Confirmation may take a while to Finalize. The Senate Banking Committee Split along Partisan Lines with a 12-12 Vote in March to move Chopra’s Nomination forward, a sign there'll likely be Extra Procedural steps involved before the Full Senate can Vote on his Confirmation.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
