Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) released the following statements, announcing his lift of holds on the nominations of Andrew Ferguson to be a Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Todd Inman, who is under consideration for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Senator Hawley previously sent a letter to U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) this past December, citing concerns about Ferguson and Inman—two of the Senate Minority Leader’s nominees—over their policy views on several issues, including Big Tech and rail safety.
Regarding Ferguson’s nomination, Senator Hawley said, “I have now had the chance to speak with Andrew Ferguson, nominated for the Federal Trade Commission. Mr. Ferguson answered a series of questions from me in writing and also spoke with me in person at length. I was pleased to hear him express strong support for robust antitrust enforcement. He particularly emphasized the dangers of concentration in the healthcare sector and how this concentration harms rural healthcare, drives up consumer prices, and degrades quality of care. He pledged to be a firm advocate for prioritizing working people and their rights over corporate interests and monopolies,”
He continued, “I appreciate Mr. Fergusons commitment to this process and his responsiveness to my concerns. Based on his responses to me, I am pleased to support his nomination.”
Regarding Inman’s nomination, Senator Hawley said, “I have now had the chance to speak directly and at length with Todd Inman, nominated for the National Transportation Safety Board. I have also reviewed his answers to my written questions. I appreciated his thoroughness both in our personal conversation and in his written answers. Mr. Inman repeatedly told me he would be a strong, independent voice for Americans’ safety at the NTSB, beholden to no person or interest. Mr. Inman pledged to work tirelessly for rail safety, and told me he was “encouraged” by our recent efforts to pass a railroad safety bill in the Senate. He pledged to support the full and swift implementation of the duck boat vehicle regulations as adopted by Congress, pursuant to my legislation. He also pledged to work to implement the additional NTSB recommendations on duck boats from 2018,”
“I appreciate Mr. Inman’s commitment to this process and his willingness to see it through. Having completed the process, I am pleased to support his nomination,” he concluded.