On March 7, the U.S. Senate confirmed by voice vote two Republican nominees to fill vacant slots at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

In July 2023, President Biden nominated the two new commissioners, Andrew Ferguson and Melissa Holyoak, to serve as Republican commissioners along with three Democrats on the five-member FTC.

On March 7, the Senate also renewed the term of Democratic Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter who serves with fellow Democrats Alvaro Bedoya and Chairwoman Lina Khan.

The FTC has been operating without any Republican commissioners for nearly a year. Their confirmation will not change the balance of power at the Commission.

The FTC is currently considering a number of regulations that stand to impact ICCFA members. Foremost, the FTC is working on issuing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on updates to the Funeral Rule. They are also drafting a rule addressing so-called “junk fees” and a rule that will limit or possibly ban non-compete agreements.

The ICCFA has submitted comments to the FTC in relation to all three rulemakings, is closely tracking FTC action and conducting advocacy on the rules’ impact on the deathcare industry.