It appears increasingly likely that for probably the first time
since the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) was established, we will
have five new Commissioners in the same calendar year. At the
moment, only two of the FTC's five Commissioner seats are
currently filled. Commissioner McSweeny's term has already
expired, and she has announced that she will leave the Commission
by the end of April. Acting Chairman Ohlhausen has been nominated
for a position on the federal bench and is expected to leave when
her replacement is confirmed by the Senate.
Below is a quick primer on the nomination process and the
individuals nominated to fill the current vacancies.
The Process
FTC Commissioners are nominated by the President and confirmed
by the Senate for a term of seven years, subject to the rule that
no more than three Commissioners may be from the same political
party. The President also designates who is to serve as Chairman.
Note that the seven-year terms are set
