WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the Acting Chairwoman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Maureen Ohlhausen, announced six internal reform initiatives aimed at improving efficiency and promoting transparency within the agency. Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection Subcommittee Chairman Bob Latta (R-OH) issued the below statement following that announcement:
“Today’s process reform initiatives are great news for both consumers and businesses alike," said Chairman Latta. “Already underway, these initiatives will eliminate unnecessary regulations and improve transparency, ultimately ensuring this agency can better focus on its core mission of protecting consumers and promoting competition."
“Today’s announcement is just the first step to strengthening FTC’s consumer protection and providing greater certainty for businesses, fostering an environment that gives way to more innovation, and improving transparency for consumers. I commend Acting Chairwoman Ohlhausen, as she has wasted no time in implementing important reforms that that the committee has long championed."
Last year, the committee was proud to put forth an FTC Process Reform package introduced by then-Subcommittee Chairman, Dr. Michael C. Burgess, M.D., HR 5510, that included a number of important reforms to the FTC. Many of these proposals are mirrored in the reforms put forth today by Acting Chairwoman Ohlhausen, including:
* H.R. 5097, the Start Taking Action on Lingering Liabilities (STALL) Act, authored by Rep. Susan Brooks (R-IN) - The bill would ensure that FTC investigations are conducted in an efficient manner with improved commission oversight.
* H.R. 5098, the FTC Robust Elderly Protections and Organizational Requirements to Track Scams (REPORTS) Act, authored by Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) - The bill would require the FTC to give more transparency by publishing an annual plan for the upcoming year including policy priorities, plans to establish new working groups within the FTC, and other initiatives.
* H.R. 5109, the Clarifying Legality and Enforcement Action Reasoning (CLEAR) Act, authored by Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY) - The bill would require the FTC to submit more information about its investigations to provide transparency into the legal analysis supporting the FTC’s decisions.
* H.R. 5136, the Revealing Economic Conclusions for Suggestions (RECS) Act, authored by then-Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS) - The bill would ensure FTC receives more resources to ensure that real world economic analysis is used to support FTC recommendations and initiatives.
