Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee Chair Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) sent a letter to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Lina Khan today requesting information and communications that Chair Khan has failed to provide. The Chairs signaled that compulsory measures may be necessary if Chair Khan continues to stonewall Committee oversight efforts.

BACKGROUND:

• On Friday, June 16, 2023, Commissioner Bedoya submitted to the Secretary of the FTC several ex-parte communications he received in May 2023, including text messages and in-person communications between him, his personal staff, and left-wing activists.
• The harassing communications from activists were in response to Bedoya issuing a statement in which he indicated disagreement with action taken by Chair Khan, action the Wall Street Journal’s Editorial Board characterized as a “power grab.”
• The communications that ensued between Commissioner Bedoya, his office, and individuals affiliated with progressive groups appear to show a coordinated pressure campaign of the most senior FTC officials.
• Following the publication of these communications, on July 11, 2023, the Members sent letters to FTC Chair Khan and the Commissioners to better determine the extent to which these groups and the White House were influencing FTC policy—and specifically asked Chair Khan if she coordinated with these groups to pressure Commissioner Bedoya or other commission officials.
• Instead of giving specific responses, Chair Khan avoided answering those questions in her response to the Committee and pivoted to a written reply that appeared to be assembled by the FTC communications team. 

KEY QUOTE:

“This response, and previous responses you have provided this Committee and others, indicate that you do not take Congress’ oversight role seriously. Your responses have also been inconsistent with commitments you previously made during your confirmation process to become Chair. When you appeared before our Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee for a Congressional oversight hearing, we expressed our disappointment with your continued inability to answer basic questions. You are not above the law and Congressional oversight does apply to you.

“If you continue to refuse to comply with the Committee’s requests for information, you will force us to consider using compulsory process to obtain it.”

CLICK HERE to read the full letter to Chair Khan.

CLICK HERE to read the previous letter sent on July 11, 2023.