Bill Overview
Title: FTC Commissioner Parity Act
Description: This bill prohibits commissioners of Federal Trade Commission from continuing to serve after the expiration of their terms. Under current law, commissioners continue to serve until a successor is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
Sponsors: Rep. Fitzgerald, Scott [R-WI-5]
Target Audience
Population: All consumers and businesses within the United States
Estimated Size: 332000000
- The bill directly affects the commissioners of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by prohibiting them from staying in their position after their term expires.
- Under the current system, without a successor appointed and confirmed, commissioners might continue to influence FTC decisions.
- Commissioners influence regulatory practices affecting all American consumers and businesses.
- The FTC regulates a wide range of activities, including antitrust laws and consumer protection, affecting almost every aspect of American economic life.
Reasoning
- This policy is highly specialized, directly affecting only the Federal Trade Commissioners themselves, but indirectly influencing a vast number of consumers and businesses through changes in regulatory practices.
- The population most directly impacted is very small, consisting mainly of the commissioners and their immediate circles.
- The wider economic implications might affect certain business sectors and consumer protections, but these impacts are likely subtle in terms of individual wellbeing in the broader population.
- Budget constraints indicate that this policy should not involve a large rollout cost, aligning with its focus on a small number of high-level government officials.
- Some small-scale public campaigns or internal administrative costs might be present, but the overall financial allocation suggests minor direct public-facing expenses.
Simulated Interviews
FTC Commissioner (Washington DC)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe this change could streamline processes, but it might lead to gaps in continuity.
- Personally, it affects my planned activities as I will need to step down earlier than expected.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Tech Industry Regulatory Analyst (California)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The shift in FTC continuity could mean more regulatory uncertainty for tech companies.
- It's crucial we stay updated with new commissioners' policies to predict regulation changes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Small Business Owner (New York)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't expect immediate changes but any new regulations could impact consumer behavior.
- Stability in the FTC is crucial for consistent business operations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Consumer Advocate (Illinois)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could lead to a stronger, more dynamic leadership within the FTC.
- Changes in leadership could bring fresh perspectives in consumer protection.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Retired (Georgia)
Age: 67 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see this as a necessary step to ensure new ideas and prevent stagnation in the FTC.
- Earlier, continuity might have been beneficial, but now faster changes are needed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Regulatory Compliance Officer (Wisconsin)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Lack of continuity might complicate compliance tracking and predictions.
- New leadership styles could influence how strictly rules are enforced.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Consumer Marketing Specialist (Texas)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any regulation shifts can impact consumer trends, but direct effects are uncertain.
- The impact of changing FTC leadership takes time to trickle down to consumer behavior.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Logistics Manager (Ohio)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Immediate impact on logistics is minimal, but operational complexities could arise from policy changes.
- Monitoring FTC's regulations is crucial for compliance and smooth operations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Consumer Behavior Researcher (Florida)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a critical period for observing potential regulatory impacts on consumer behavior.
- New FTC appointments present opportunities to study regulatory influence more closely.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Digital Content Creator (Oregon)
Age: 45 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Power shifts in the FTC could serve as material for public discussion and awareness.
- Digital creators will be following shifts to update audiences on potential impacts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000 (Low: $250000, High: $750000)
Year 2: $500000 (Low: $250000, High: $750000)
Year 3: $500000 (Low: $250000, High: $750000)
Year 5: $500000 (Low: $250000, High: $750000)
Year 10: $500000 (Low: $250000, High: $750000)
Year 100: $500000 (Low: $250000, High: $750000)
Key Considerations
- The policy changes how FTC commissioners are appointed and confirmed, focusing on governance rather than financial impact.
- The actual operational efficiency gains or losses depend significantly on the dynamics of commissioner transitions, which this act does not directly alter beyond term limits.