What happened
The Federal Trade Commission told the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on Wednesday that the agency has advanced consumer-protection and competition priorities over the past year and a half, highlighting work on healthcare markets, labor practices, deceptive fees and online-platform obligations.
FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson testified alongside Commissioner Mark R. Meador, according to the agency, with the commission presenting its recent achievements on behalf of consumers, workers and honest businesses. The FTC said the testimony also reflected the Trump-Vance administration's pro-consumer, pro-competition agenda focused on lower costs, fair markets and accountability across the economy.
A key near-term item was the agency's preparation to enforce the TAKE IT DOWN Act, which the FTC said is set to take effect May 19. The agency said the law, signed last year by President Trump, protects victims of online abuse and exploitation by requiring online platforms to take down nonconsensual intimate images, among other obligations.
On consumer protection, the FTC said it has worked to combat deceptive fees that drive up costs in areas including automobiles, online food delivery, concert tickets and online subscriptions. The commission also pointed to efforts involving consumer privacy rights, illegal robocalls and telemarketing scams.
On competition, the agency said the testimony showcased its continuing fight against anticompetitive practices, including a renewed focus on preserving competition in healthcare through the creation of a Healthcare Task Force. The FTC said the task force is intended to help ensure healthcare is available, affordable and effective.
The commission also said it has acted to protect workers from anticompetitive labor practices, including unreasonable noncompete agreements, no-hire provisions and DEI collusion. The FTC said the commission voted 2-0 to approve the testimony.