On May 15, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) chairman Andrew Ferguson testified before the House Appropriations Committee in support of the FTC’s budget request. His testimony provides insight into the agency’s downsizing and its strategic enforcement priorities moving forward.
Ferguson reported that the FTC is implementing a 10% reduction in its workforce, bringing its headcount to approximately 1,100 employees—the lowest level in a decade. This decision follows the departure of 94 employees earlier in the year, which left the agency with 1,221 full-time staff. Ferguson testified that these measures are essential for aligning the agency’s resources with its current budget and emphasized a return to the FTC’s foundational mission: enforcing laws as written, rather than creating new regulations and policy.
Despite the reductions, Ferguson expressed confidence that the FTC will effectively fulfill its mission of protecting consumers and promoting competition. He highlighted several key consumer protection areas the FTC will prioritize:Continue Reading Cut to the Chase: FTC Trims Staff but Keeps Enforcement Focus