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By: Matthew Foldi
Republican Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Andrew Ferguson clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, was Sen. Mitch McConnell’s (R., Ky.) chief counsel, and became the solicitor general of Virginia — all in less than 12 years after earning his law degree from the University of Virginia — before he was sworn into his current role on April 4.
Ferguson explained in an interview with the Reporter why commissioners divide into partisanship (“when the commission is pushing the envelope”); when the FTC should work with foreign regulators (“but we should never ask our enforcement partners abroad to do our dirty work. We cannot use foreign enforcers to circumvent limits on our own authority”); and how to succeed on the Hill (“first, be patient and charitable to everyone. You should do this because it is virtuous. If St. Thomas and Aristotle don’t convince you, do it because it’ll help you in the long run”).
Click here to read the full interview.
What is your perspective on the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) role in working with foreign entities — especially the European Commission — on antitrust enforcement? Is this the proper role for the Commission?
Matthew Foldi
Editor-in-Chief
Whether we like it or not, markets are global. American companies do business abroad, and foreign companies do business here. There are therefore many instances where we must collaborate with our international counterparts on enforcement matters. This is especially true when we are trying to obtain evidence from a foreign witness or third party.
Our regular engagement with foreign counterparts also helps promote a more consistent, principled application of antitrust laws across the globe, which can safeguard U.S. companies from the potentially protectionist application of antitrust laws in other countries. But we should never ask our enforcement partners abroad to do our dirty work. We cannot use foreign enforcers to circumvent limits on our own authority.
Andrew Ferguson
FTC Commissioner
House:
Senate:
What we’re hearing from people we trust on and around the Hill – please send us more tips!
By: Matthew Foldi
Democrats have expanded their dark money network’s reach this year to target issues such as big tech and tax policies. Business records reviewed by the Washington Reporter reveal several new projects of Arabella Advisors, a dark money Democratic superpower, that Republicans should pay close attention to.
Arabella’s recent activity suggests that the Left is ramping up for a fight on multiple fronts. As the 2024 election heats up, these organizations, and possibly future ones, may play a leading role in day-to-day political combat.
By: Rep. Andy Barr (R., Ky.)
I recently traveled to Taiwan with a bipartisan congressional delegation consisting of members of the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services Committees. We were the first American delegation to visit with Taiwan’s new President Lai Ching-te and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim since their May 20th inauguration.
The trip was more than a routine diplomatic mission. It was purposely designed to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to Taiwan at a time of serious and escalating tensions with the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
We traveled despite bellicose calls from Beijing to end our support for the island democracy and despite the Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) “Joint Sword” military exercise just before our arrival, involving 111 fighter aircraft and 53 naval ships in the airspace and waters surrounding Taiwan.
And it came after an escalating period of pressure against Taiwan, including near-daily PLA air operations into Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone, routine Chinese naval and Coast Guard patrols across the Taiwan Strait median line, and unmanned combat aerial vehicle flights near and encircling Taiwan.
Our bipartisan message was unequivocal: there should be no doubt about American resolve to support Taiwan militarily, diplomatically and economically to deter Communist Chinese aggression.
Finish Reading why Rep. Andy Barr thinks that a strong Taiwan is essential for the future of global stability and security → click HERE
By: Washington Reporter Editors
Congress may seem inactive, but behind the scenes, members are conducting substantial, bipartisan work on major policy issues. From the Senate Commerce Committee to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, Republicans are negotiating standard-practice bipartisan deals to include in end-of-year, must-pass legislation. Republicans would be wise to hold firm and wait for better deals.
Read more on why Republicans should maximize their leverage HERE
