Taxpayer Watchdog Calls for FTC Oversight After Wilson Resignation

For Immediate Release                                                                                               Contact: Abigail Graham: (202) 417-7235

February 14, 2023                                                                                                                   

Washington, D.C. – The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) is calling for increased congressional oversight of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in light of news of Commissioner Christine Wilson’s resignation. In her resignation letter, Wilson cited numerous abuses of power from FTC Chair Lina Khan as reasons for her stepping away from the agency.

In response, TPA Executive Director Patrick Hedger offered the following comment:

“Commissioner Wilson’s resignation is further evidence of what has been apparent for quite some time – the FTC has lost touch with the rule of law. In her resignation letter, Wilson paints a picture of an agency governed ruthlessly by Chair Khan without regard for existing law, the input of expert career staff, or limits on the agency’s authority. Further, Commissioner Wilson brings to light that a number of lawsuits were initiated against American companies despite clear pre-existing biases. Congress must assert its constitutional role and rebalance power before the agency pursues even more expensive, frivolous, and ultimately unsuccessful cases.

“Commissioner Wilson was one of the last remaining voices at the FTC pushing the agency to focus more on consumer welfare. She often stood above partisan bias to discharge her duty to the American people well. TPA sincerely hopes that Congress will take her accusations seriously and thoroughly investigate the abuses of power at the FTC and their impacts on the American taxpayer. TPA wishes Commissioner Wilson the best in whatever is next in her career and applauds her efforts to blow the whistle on gross regulatory overreach.”

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Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to educating the public through the research, analysis and dissemination of information on the government’s effects on the economy.