House Republicans Claim Progressives ‘Harassed’ Bedoya

FTC records suggest progressive groups harassed and tried to intimidate Democratic Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya after he disagreed on policy matters with Democratic Chair Lina Khan, House Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., wrote the agency Wednesday with House Innovation Subcommittee Chairman Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla. Rodgers and Bilirakis announced an investigation of “left-wing influence and intimidation” at the FTC, providing texts among a progressive activist, Bedoya and Bedoya’s office. The Republicans' letter suggested Khan may have coordinated with groups to pressure Bedoya. The agency denied the allegation but said it will work with the committee on its oversight requests. Khan isn’t “involved in any effort by outside groups to influence commissioners,” a spokesperson said. Bedoya “brings great integrity and intellect to the Commission and is a valuable contributor to our mission to protect fair competition and American consumers." The FTC claimed in early May Meta violated its consent decree with the agency and sought to ban monetization of kids’ data at the company (see 2305030059). Bedoya issued a statement saying there are “limits to the Commission’s order modification authority.” In this case, “the relevant question is not what I would support as a matter of policy,” he said. According to the committee, Bedoya submitted ex-parte communications June 16 directed at him in May. The letter cites text messages from Dan Geldon, an antitrust consultant and former chief of staff to Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. A text from Geldon described Bedoya’s statement as “insanely at odds with representations” he made during his Senate confirmation. In another message Geldon wrote: “Very telling that you don’t even respond to text messages now that you don’t need help getting confirmed.” A Bedoya staffer responded Bedoya was barred from communicating about matters of administrative proceeding.