    [Senate Hearing 119-219]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

                                                            S. Hrg. 119-219

                        NOMINATION OF MICHAEL KRATSIOS,
                   NOMINEE TO BE DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF SCIENCE
                    AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY; AND MARK MEADOR,
                         NOMINEE TO BE A COMMISSIONER,
                            FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

    =======================================================================

                                    HEARING

                                   BEFORE THE

                             COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE,
                          SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
                              UNITED STATES SENATE

                        ONE HUNDRED NINETEENTH CONGRESS

                                 FIRST SESSION

                                   __________

                               FEBRUARY 25, 2025

                                   __________

        Printed for the use of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
                                 Transportation

    [GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

                    Available online: http://www.govinfo.gov

                                    __________

                       U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
    62-169 PDF                  WASHINGTON : 2025

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

           SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION

                        ONE HUNDRED NINETEENTH CONGRESS

                                 FIRST SESSION

                           TED CRUZ, Texas, Chairman
    JOHN THUNE, South Dakota             MARIA CANTWELL, Washington,
    ROGER WICKER, Mississippi                Ranking
    DEB FISCHER, Nebraska                AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota
    JERRY MORAN, Kansas                  BRIAN SCHATZ, Hawaii
    DAN SULLIVAN, Alaska                 EDWARD MARKEY, Massachusetts
    MARSHA BLACKBURN, Tennessee          GARY PETERS, Michigan
    TODD YOUNG, Indiana                  TAMMY BALDWIN, Wisconsin
    TED BUDD, North Carolina             TAMMY DUCKWORTH, Illinois
    ERIC SCHMITT, Missouri               JACKY ROSEN, Nevada
    JOHN CURTIS, Utah                    BEN RAY LUJAN, New Mexico
    BERNIE MORENO, Ohio                  JOHN HICKENLOOPER, Colorado
    TIM SHEEHY, Montana                  JOHN FETTERMAN, Pennsylvania
    SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO, West Virginia  ANDY KIM, New Jersey
    CYNTHIA LUMMIS, Wyoming              LISA BLUNT ROCHESTER, Delaware
                     Brad Grantz, Republican Staff Director
               Nicole Christus, Republican Deputy Staff Director
                         Liam McKenna, General Counsel
                       Lila Harper Helms, Staff Director
                     Melissa Porter, Deputy Staff Director
                         Jonathan Hale, General Counsel

                                C O N T E N T S

                                  ----------
                                                                       Page
    Hearing held on February 25, 2025................................     1
    Statement of Senator Cruz........................................     1
        Letter to Hon. John Thune and Hon. Ted Cruz from the
          undersigned right-of-center groups and individuals: Chris
          Koopman, Executive Director, Abundance Institute; Brian
          Chau, Executive Director, Alliance for the Future; Nick
          Solheim, Chief Executive Offi cer, American Moment; Jon
          Schweppe, Policy Director, American Principles Project;
          Grover Norquist, President, Americans for Tax Reform; Aiden
          Buzzetti, President, Bull Moose Project; Bill Drexel,
          Fellow, Center for New American Security; Nathan Leamer,
          Executive Director, Digital First Project; James Erwin,
          Director, Digital Liberty; Neil Chilson, Fmr. Chief
          Technologist, Federal Trade Commission; Zach Graves,
          Executive Director, Foundation for American Innovation;
          Michael Toscano, Executive Director, Institute for Family
          Studies; Nate Fischer, CEO, New Founding; Tom Hebert,
          Director, Open Competition Center; and Dan Savickas, Vice
          President of Policy and Government Affairs, Taxpayers
          Protection Alliance........................................    87
        Letter to Hon. John Thune, Hon. Chuck Schumer, Hon. Ted Cruz
          and Hon. Maria Cantwell from the undersigned founders,
          investors, executives, and technologists: Zak Kukoff,
          Chair, Tech Practice, Lewis-Burke Associates; Joshua
          Steinman, Former Deputy Assistant to the President for
          National Security Affairs; Michael Gibson, Co-Founder, 1517
          Fund; Zak Slayback, Partner, 1517 Fund; Anitha Vadavatha,
          Founder, AB Plus Ventures; Shivdev Rao, CEO, Abridge AI
          INC; Bala Chandrasekaran, Partner, Alt Capital; Jack
          Altman, Managing Partner, Alt Capital; Patrick Blumenthal,
          Founder, Anomaly Fund; Jordan Bramble, CEO, Antares; Jack
          Clark, Co-Founder and Head of Policy, Anthropic; Nathaniel
          Blake Scholl, Founder/ CEO, Boom Supersonic; Brandon Yan,
          Treasury Manager, Elastic; Blake Pierson, Co-Founder & CEO,
          Fathom; Dylan Field, CEO, Figma; Nick Allen, President,
          Frontier Foundation; Teresa Carlson, President, General
          Catalyst Institute; Stuart Buck, Executive Director, Good
          Science Project; Christopher Power, CEO and Founder,
          Hadrian; Joseph Malchow, General Partner, Hanover; Peter
          Chandler, Executive Director, Internet Works; Austin
          Bishop, CEO, New American Industrial Alliance; Richard
          Fuisz, CEO, Nonfiction Labs; Jacob DeWitte, CEO, Oklo;
          Camilo Acosta, Managing Director, Perceptive Ventures;
          Garry Tan, Y Combinator, President and CEO; Christopher
          Grieco, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, Rain;
          Charles Lindsay, Artist, SETI Institute; Ron Conway,
          Founder and Managing Partner, SV Angel; Austin Bishop,
          General Partner, Tamarack Global; Kempton White, Founder &
          CEO, The Emissions Capture Company Group Limited; Brandon
          Palumbo, Director of Policy & Government Relations, Travel
          Technology Association; Andrew Antar, Founder, Tune.FM; Ash
          Shrivastav, Managing Partner, Uma Ventures; Laurent
          Crenshaw, President, Visionary Strategic Advisors; Jennifer
          Pahlka, Author, Recoding America; Fmr. US Deputy CTO;
          Delian Asparouhov, Co-Founder and President, Varda Space
          Industries; Partner, Founders Fund.........................    89
        Letter dated January 23, 2025 to Hon. Ted Cruz and Hon. Maria
          Cantwell from Paul Stimers, Executive Director, Quantum
          Industry Coalition.........................................    91
        Letter dated January 24, 2025 to Hon. Ted Cruz and Hon. Maria
          Cantwell from Farnam Jahanian, President, Henry L. Hillman
          President's Chair, Carnegie Mellon University..............    92
        Letter dated January 27, 2025 to Hon. Ted Cruz from Savas C.
          Tsivicos, National President, Order of AHEPA...............    93
        Letter dated January 27, 2025 to Hon. John Thune, Hon. Ted
          Cruz and Hon. Maria Cantwell from Celia Merzbacher,
          Executive Director, Quantum Economic Development
          Consortium, SRI International..............................    94
        Letter dated January 27, 2025 to Hon. Ted Cruz and Hon. Maria
          Cantwell from the undersigned associations and groups:
          Morgan Reed, President, ACT | The App Association; Meredith
          Attwell Baker, President and CEO, CTIA; Susan Miller,
          President and CEO, ATIS | Alliance for Telecommunications
          Industry Solutions; Zach Graves, Executive Director,
          Foundation for American Innovation; Brian Darmody, Chief
          Strategy Officer, AURP | Association of University Research
          Parks; Christian Dawson, Executive Director, Internet
          Infrastructure Coalition; Victoria Espinel, CEO, Business
          Software Alliance; The Honorable Chip Pickering, CEO,
          INCOMPAS; The Honorable Deborah L. Wince-Smith, President
          and CEO, Council on Competitiveness; Jason Oxman, President
          and CEO, Information Technology Industry Council; Coach
          Kathy Kemper, Founder and CEO, Institute for Education;
          Matt Schruers, President and CEO, Computer & Communications
          Industry Association; Paul Sanberg, President, National
          Academy of Inventors; Gary Shapiro, CEO and Vice Chair,
          Consumer Technology Association; Bobby Franklin, CEO,
          National Venture Capital Association; Julius Krein, Chair
          of Board of Directors, New American Industrial Alliance;
          John Neuffer, President and CEO, Semiconductor Industry
          Association; Linda Moore, President and CEO, TechNet;
          Elizabeth A. Hyman, CEO, XR Association....................    96
        Letter dated January 28, 2025 to Hon. Ted Cruz and Hon. Maria
          Cantwell from Deborah L. Wince-Smith, President & CEO,
          Council on Competitiveness.................................    99
        Letter dated January 29, 2025 to Hon. Ted Cruz and Hon. Maria
          Cantwell from Morgan Reed, President, ACT | The App
          Association................................................   100
        Letter dated February 7, 2025 to Hon. Ted Cruz and Hon. Maria
          Cantwell from Barbara R. Snyder, President, Association of
          American Universities......................................   101
        Letter dated February 7, 2025 to Hon. Ted Cruz from Aiden
          Buzzetti, President, The Bull Moose Project; Terry
          Schilling, President, American Principles Project; Julius
          Krein, Editor, The Journal of American Affairs; Josh
          Hammer, Senior Counsel, Article III Project; Oren Cass,
          Founder & Chief Economist, American Compass; Nathan Leamer,
          Executive Director, Digital First Project; Clare Morell,
          Fellow, Ethics and Public Policy Center; Ryan Williams,
          President, Claremont Institute; Rachel Bovard, Vice
          President of Programs, Conservative Partnership Institute;
          Ryan Walker, Executive Vice President, Heritage Action for
          America; and Nick Solheim, CEO, American Moment............   107
        Letter dated February 18, 2025 to Hon. Ted Cruz and Hon.
          Maria Cantwell from Lisa Ellman, Executive Director,
          Commercial Drone Alliance..................................   106
        Letter dated February 19, 2025 to Hon. Ted Cruz and Hon.
          Maria Cantwell from James Grimsley, Regional Innovation
          Officer, Texoma Semiconductor Tech Hub.....................   107
        Letter dated February 21, 2025 to Hon. Ted Cruz and Hon.
          Maria Cantwell from Gregory S. Walden, Counsel, Small UAV
          Coalition..................................................   109
        Letter dated February 24, 2025 to Hon. Ted Cruz and Hon.
          Maria Cantwell from Christopher A. Mohr, President,
          Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA).........   111
        Letter dated February 24, 2025 to Hon. Ted Cruz and Hon.
          Maria Cantwell from Mark Becker, President, Association of
          Public and Land-grant Universities.........................   113
        Letter dated February 24, 2025 to Hon. Ted Cruz and Hon.
          Maria Cantwell from Jonathan Spalter, President anc Chief
          Executive Officer, USTelecom--The Broadband Association....   114
    Statement of Senator Cantwell....................................     3
    Statement of Senator Blunt Rochester.............................    33
    Statement of Senator Fischer.....................................    35
    Statement of Senator Baldwin.....................................    36
    Statement of Senator Curtis......................................    38
    Statement of Senator Lujan.......................................    40
    Statement of Senator Hickenlooper................................    42
    Statement of Senator Young.......................................    44
    Statement of Senator Blackburn...................................    48
    Statement of Senator Markey......................................    50
        Analysis published October 2, 2024 entitled, ``Differences in
          misinformation sharing canlead to politically asymmetric
          sanctions'' by Mohsen Mosleh1, Qi Yang, Tauhid Zaman,
          Gordon Pennycook & David G. Rand...........................    52
    Statement of Senator Schmitt.....................................    71
    Statement of Senator Klobuchar...................................    73
    Statement of Senator Moreno......................................    75
    Statement of Senator Kim.........................................    77
    Statement of Senator Peters......................................    79
    Statement of Senator Rosen.......................................    82
    Statement of Senator Duckworth...................................    84

                                   Witnesses

    Hon. Bill Hagerty, U.S. Senator from Tennessee...................     5
    Hon. Mike Lee, U.S. Senator from Utah............................     6
    Michael Kratsios, Nominee to be Director, Office of Science and
      Technology Policy..............................................     7
        Prepared statement...........................................     8
        Biographical information.....................................     9
    Mark Meador, Nominee to be a Commissioner, Federal Trade
      Commission.....................................................    19
        Prepared statement...........................................    21
        Biographical information.....................................    22

                                    Appendix

    Response to written questions submitted to Michael Kratsios by:
        Hon. John Thune..............................................   117
        Hon. Jerry Moran.............................................   117
        Hon. Dan Sullivan............................................   121
        Hon. Tim Sheehy..............................................   122
        Hon. Maria Cantwell..........................................   123
        Hon. Amy Klobuchar...........................................   125
        Hon. Brian Schatz............................................   125
        Hon. Edward Markey...........................................   127
        Hon. Gary Peters.............................................   130
        Hon. Ben Ray Lujan...........................................   130
        Hon. John Hickenlooper.......................................   131
        Hon. Lisa Blunt Rochester....................................   132
    Response to written questions submitted to Mark Meador by:
        Hon. John Thune..............................................   133
        Hon. Jerry Moran.............................................   134
        Hon. Dan Sullivan............................................   138
        Hon. John Curtis.............................................   138
        Hon. Maria Cantwell..........................................   139
        Hon. Amy Klobuchar...........................................   141
        Hon. Brian Schatz............................................   141
        Hon. Edward Markey...........................................   142
        Hon. John Hickenlooper.......................................   145
        Hon. Lisa Blunt Rochester....................................   146

                        NOMINATION OF MICHAEL KRATSIOS,
                       NOMINEE TO BE DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF
                         SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY;
                        AND MARK MEADOR, NOMINEE TO BE A
                     COMMISSIONER, FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

                                  ----------

                           TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2025

                                           U.S. Senate,
            Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
                                                        Washington, DC.
        The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:01 a.m., in
    room SR-253, Russell Senate Office Building, Hon. Ted Cruz,
    Chairman of the Committee, presiding.
        Present: Senators Cruz [presiding], Fischer, Blackburn,
    Young, Schmitt, Curtis, Moreno, Hagerty, Lee, Klobuchar,
    Markey, Peters, Baldwin, Duckworth, Rosen, Lujan, Hickenlooper,
    Kim, and Blunt Rochester.

                  OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. TED CRUZ,
                        U.S. SENATOR FROM TEXAS

        The Chairman. Good morning. The Senate Committee on
    Commerce, Science, and Transportation will come to order.
        I want to congratulate each of the nominees here today,
    Michael Kratsios who has been nominated to lead the White
    House's Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Mark
    Meador who has been nominated to the Federal Trade Commission.
        Congress has charged both the OSTP and the FTC with duties
    that affect the lives of millions of Americans. OSTP advises
    the President on Federal science and technology policy. Michael
    Kratsios has a distinguished track record of ensuring America
    leads globally in emerging technologies.
        His previous tenure as U.S. Chief Technology Officer at
    OSTP during the first Trump Administration was marked by
    efforts to advance artificial intelligence, quantum computing,
    and 5G technology. The story of the 21st century will be
    written by whichever nation can innovate the fastest.
        This generation space race is unfolding with technologies
    invisible to the naked eye where the winners and the losers
    will be separated by mere nanometers. What was once science
    fiction is now crucial to maintaining the United States's
    position as the world's leading economy.
        Technologies like this new chip I hold in the palm of my
    hand, the Majorana 1 quantum chip, are unlocking a new era of
    computing that will transform industries from health care to
    energy, solving problems that today's computers simply cannot.
        And I will note, by the way, Microsoft tells me this chip
    is worth $1 billion, so I very much hope I do not drop it
    because my current employer is judgment proof and $36 trillion
    in debt.
        [Laughter.]
        The Chairman. This breakthrough is led by an American
    company and harnesses a new kind of matter to solve problems
    faster than ever before. I would like to thank Senator
    Blackburn, who is advancing a reauthorization of quantum
    computing research programs, for her leadership on this.
        Advancements in quantum computing, AI, and cybersecurity
    will drive innovation, protect the nation, and create new
    industries. Now, let me say a few words about the FTC, which
    protects American consumers from unfair and deceptive business
    practices and anti-competitive behavior.
        Mark Meador is well prepared to serve as a Commissioner and
    he should be confirmed. I look forward to hearing that he would
    pursue the FTC's mission with impartiality and with respect for
    the rule of law.
        As a former Director of the Office of Policy Planning at
    the FTC, I have a deep respect for the dedicated professionals
    within the agency. I saw firsthand how principled leadership
    and a shared commitment to statutory limits can benefit free
    enterprise and economic opportunity. But I worry that today's
    FTC is a far cry from the agency I once knew.
        For 4 years under Lina Khan, the FTC prioritized activism
    over enforcement, disregarded statutory limits, and weaponized
    its authority in defiance of Congressional intent. Consider a
    few troubling examples.
        The FTC has abused its enforcement powers to target
    political opponents of the Biden Administration. It has
    attempted to impose competition rulemakings across entire
    industries, exceeding its legal mandate.
        It has destroyed documents, obstructing both Congressional
    oversight and potential litigation. It has collaborated with
    European regulators to apply foreign laws that put American
    tech companies at a competitive disadvantage. It has sought to
    regulate artificial intelligence in a way that could chill free
    speech.
        And it has attempted to impose sweeping data privacy and
    security mandates without Congressional approval. Each of these
    actions represents a departure from the FTC's historical role
    as a nonpartisan enforcer of consumer protection and
    competition law.
        Former Commissioner Christine Wilson's resignation
    underscored this crisis, and she cited former Chairwoman Khan's
    disregard for legal precedent and due process as key factors in
    her decision to step down.
        I think that Chairman Andrew Ferguson will restore the
    FTC's integrity and its focus. I hope that Mr. Meador can
    assist in that effort given his deep understanding of
    competition law, regulatory process, and consumer protection.
    The FTC must enforce laws as Congress designed, not engage in
    ideological experiments.
        I look forward to hearing from both of today's nominees,
    learning about their perspectives, and understanding how they
    plan to advance the goals of their respective institutions. I
    will now turn to Ranking Member Cantwell for her opening
    remarks.

                   STATEMENT OF HON. MARIA CANTWELL,
                      U.S. SENATOR FROM WASHINGTON

        Senator Cantwell. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you
    for being a champion of Washington innovation. I love it. I
    usually--that is usually my job, and so love that we have the
    dual role here of cheerleading----
        The Chairman. You want to hold the billion-dollar chip?
        Senator Cantwell. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you
    so much.
        The Chairman. If she drops it, it is not my fault.
        [Laughter.]
        Senator Cantwell. I think we will hold it together
    because--because Mr. Chairman, collaboration, I believe, is the
    next phase of innovation. And we can talk about that with Mr.
    Kratsios--when we get to his segmentation.
        But I really do believe that the state of Washington is
    leading in innovation in many, many ways, and so we are very
    proud of that. We would like to start, and obviously we are
    going to hear from our colleagues, but I will try to be short
    with my opening remarks.
        Mr. Meador for the Federal Trade Commission, as you just
    mentioned. The Federal Trade Commission has a very big
    responsibility on antitrust enforcement, including the five
    years that you spent at the FTC.
        And I think you know that it is not just another regulatory
    agency. It is a front-line defender of very complex consumer
    marketplace issues. I read in your testimony that you really do
    believe it's about competition in the marketplace. I do too. I
    do too.
        I don't think we can talk enough around here about
    competition. And competition gets you great innovation, just
    like we just saw, and it also gets you the opportunity to help
    us grow our economy and lift more people into the middle class.
        But obviously, markets sometimes have anti-competitive
    practices and unfair or deceptive practices. And the FTC, I
    believe, is a critically important organization. Things like
    the COPPA Rule that protects children's privacy. I saw my
    colleague here, but I think he stepped out.
        And its actions to block anticompetitive mergers resulting
    in high consumer prices like the Kroger, Albertsons merger
    which is a very big issue in the Pacific Northwest for farmers
    and consumers. And the litigation against PBMs, my colleague
    Chuck Grassley and I just reintroduced legislation on this. So,
    with consumers facing increased prices for everything like
    food, prescription drugs, gasoline, I do believe it is the
    FTC's authority to examine business practices and make sure
    that there is not an artificial inflation of prices and holding
    businesses accountable when they do harm consumers or
    competitors. So, the statistics are alarming.
        The FTC data shows that in 2023, consumers reported losing
    $10.4 billion to fraud with a median loss of $500. This is
    money consumers don't have to spend on groceries or rent. And
    so, I just can't even believe--one day at the airport overheard
    a constituent talking about how her aunt had become exploited
    by an AI trick where she thought Kevin Costner was going to
    come to visit her, and she had shelled out tens of thousands of
    dollars too.
        Again, and when I brought this up to Facebook, Meta, they
    basically said, oh yes, that is the biggest thing going on now.
    I mean, with AI, you are just going to where that you know
    people have money.
        So why basically say your software is broke on your
    computer and you need to send me $100 to fix it when you can
    basically promise somebody that Kevin Costner is going to come
    to SeaTac and visit you, and you will pay them tens of
    thousands of dollars.
        So, we definitely need an FTC to be the policeman on the
    beat and continue to make sure that these pressures facing
    consumers are addressed. So, look forward to your conversation.
    Turning to the second nominee, Mr. Kratsios--thank you for
    wanting to serve again in a capacity I think that you know very
    well.
        The CHIPS and Science Act passed by strong bipartisan
    support from this committee, recognizes America's scientific
    enterprise, the foundation of the future. But obviously, there
    are many things that we need to do to continue to test-bed next
    generation technologies.
        I am a very big believer in that the private sector is the
    main engine of our innovation and capital markets, and that the
    United States, even being outsized by some countries, still is
    not really an issue if, in fact, we educate, and skill the
    talent, and can innovate faster than they can.
        So, this notion of testbeds and hubs and laboratory
    research I will be asking you about in the Q&A part of the--of
    our questions. These opportunities for us to play our part on
    the broader R&D issues is something I believe that the Office
    of Science and Technology is so critical to do.
        As President Trump's nominee, you will be the Chief
    Scientist advising during this period of remarkable technology
    change, and I think that that is why the United States must
    keep a very fast innovation pace ahead of our competitors.
        Since you are no stranger, I know you will know more about
    how to work those levers, but I do need to hear from you today
    that you will be forceful on the investments that we would like
    to see in innovation.
        I know that the Trump Administration has said that they
    plan to slash the budget of the National Science Foundation by
    two-thirds, while implementing sweeping layoffs. I think these
    are questions that we will need to know the answer to. In my
    state, University of Washington, obviously a big R&D
    institution, feels like it is continuing to help us uncover
    those important issues that benefit all sectors and increase
    America's competitive advantages.
        So, I hope that, as my colleague brought up quantum, that
    we will be able to continue the National Quantum Initiative
    started under you and your Administration. I was just looking
    up the quote that you gave when $625 million was awarded to
    various innovative hubs related to quantum out of the DOE
    budget.
        So glad to see that you were very enthusiastic about the
    Federal Government playing a role on broad quantum R&D
    policies. But no doubt, we are in a global race. I know America
    is up to it. Look forward to asking you how we continue to make
    these investments together--together and collaborate on
    actually getting the science implemented. Thank you, Mr.
    Chairman.
        The Chairman. Thank you, Senator Cantwell. Now, I would
    like to recognize my friend and colleague from the great state
    of Tennessee, Senator Hagerty, to introduce Mr. Kratsios.
    Senator Hagerty, welcome to the Commerce Committee.

                    STATEMENT OF HON. BILL HAGERTY,
                      U.S. SENATOR FROM TENNESSEE

        Senator Hagerty. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member
    Cantwell. I want to thank you both for hosting this important
    confirmation hearing today. It is my great privilege today to
    introduce my friend, Michael Kratsios, who is President Trump's
    nominee to be the Director of the Office of Science and
    Technology Policy.
        The OSTP Director advises the President on key industries
    of the future, including artificial intelligence, quantum
    computing, 5G, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, and more.
    Indeed, Michael and I worked closely together on 5G and our
    telecommunications infrastructure when I served in my previous
    role as U.S. Ambassador to Japan.
        Now, more than ever, emerging technologies present us with
    immense opportunities to maintain America's global dominance.
    At such a critical time, we can't afford to make policy errors
    in Washington. That is exactly why we need a leader of
    Michael's caliber serving in this vital role.
        While AI has rapidly ascended to become one of America's
    most important policy priorities, Michael had the foresight to
    see this technology's potential nearly a decade ago, and he has
    been working tirelessly on the issue ever since.
        His impressive record of public service in the field of
    science and technology policy include his past service as Chief
    Technology Officer of the United States, as well as the
    Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.
        In these roles and others, Michael has coordinated public-
    private partnerships and served as the architect of national
    strategies on AI and quantum technologies. After leaving public
    service, he served as Managing Director of Scale AI, helping it
    become one of the most valuable and well-respected privately
    held AI companies in the world.
        Michael's research outside of the Government provided the
    first quantifiable evidence of how banned Chinese technologies
    were still being procured by State and local Governments across
    the country. He also brought to light the significant risks
    posed by PRC manufactured ship to shore cranes in American
    ports.
        America must remain the world leader in scientific and
    technological innovation. Our national security, our liberty,
    and our prosperity depend on it. Michael understands this
    mission, and that is why I wholeheartedly support his
    nomination. I want to thank my colleagues here today for giving
    Michael your deepest consideration.
        The Chairman. Thank you, Senator Haggerty. And now I would
    like to recognize my dearest friend in the Senate, the great
    Senator from the great state of Utah, Senator Mike Lee, to
    introduce his former staffer, Mr. Meador. Senator Lee, welcome
    back to the Commerce Committee.

                      STATEMENT OF HON. MIKE LEE,
                         U.S. SENATOR FROM UTAH

        Senator Lee. Thank you so much, Mr. Chairman, Chairman
    Cruz, and Ranking Member Cantwell, and other members of the
    Committee. It really is a great honor and pleasure to be back
    in front of the Commerce Committee today to introduce my
    friend, a former valued member of my team, Mark Meador, who has
    been nominated by President Trump to serve on the Federal Trade
    Commission.
        I offer my wholehearted support for Mark for whom I have
    great regard. It is also great to have him here with his
    family, his wife Adrienne, and their six children, as well as
    Mark's parents. And I will note parenthetically here that his
    oldest daughter, Constance, already has my pledged support when
    she runs for President in 2048. She is smart as a whip.
        Senator Cantwell. Where is she? Let's see the future
    President. Right there. OK.
        [Laughter.]
        Senator Lee. She is terrific. If confirmed, Mark will, I
    believe, honorably serve the American people as a member of the
    Federal Trade Commission. I say this for a number of reasons.
        First, he is an exceptionally talented lawyer. He is a
    trusted advocate and a true leader in the field of antitrust
    law. His career has been defined by his ability to navigate
    some of the most complex questions in antitrust law and
    consumer protection matters.
        From his time on my staff here in the Senate to the time
    that he spent at the Federal Trade Commission as a lawyer
    there, and also as a lawyer in DOJ's Antitrust Division, Mark
    has served at the forefront of key consumer protection and
    antitrust issues. His vast wealth of experience, with
    enforcement and policy in both public service and in private
    practice as well, has positioned him to be uniquely qualified
    for this new role.
        Shortly after Mark first joined my staff in 2015, I became
    immediately impressed by his temperament, his judgment, and his
    expertise. He always approached issues based on the facts, and
    based on the law, and with really sound judgment. Now, Mark
    actually had two stents working in my office, and during these
    many years I relied on his sound understanding of antitrust
    law.
        But also I found Mark to be somebody on whom I could rely
    for advice on pretty much anything and he consistently gave
    good advice. It is one of the reasons why, if confirmed as a
    member of the Federal Trade Commission, he is going to be a
    consensus builder. He will be someone around whom ideas can
    coalesce and opinions can form.
        His leadership was felt in the more than 20 subcommittee
    hearings for which he helped me prepare, involving some of the
    most significant antitrust topics, from mergers to anti-
    competitive conduct. His leadership and insight were
    invaluable. Mark has a proven track record and extensive
    experience in the practice of antitrust law, both inside and
    outside of Government.
        Not only does he have experience working for the FTC and
    DOJ, and also in the U.S. Senate, but he has got remarkable
    success in private practice. His success in private practice
    can be attributed to his rare ability to advise his clients not
    only on antitrust compliance and litigation, but also on policy
    dimensions of offensive and defensive antitrust strategies.
        And I would add here that it has been a tremendous benefit
    to him and his clients the fact that he served as a lawyer,
    both at DOJ and at FTC working on antitrust matters. His steady
    demeanor and temperament, coupled with the ability to blend
    legal experience with strategic policy insight, make him
    exceptionally qualified to serve as the next FTC Commissioner.
        Mark will ensure that the antitrust and consumer protection
    laws are enforced in a fair and principled manner. I have every
    confidence in Mark, and I am proud to be here in support of his
    nomination. I urge every member of this committee to vote in
    favor of Mark's nomination. I look forward to voting for him on
    the Senate floor. Thank you.
        The Chairman. Thank you, Senator Lee. And you too are
    welcome to stick around, but you can also head on to other
    business if your schedule so demands. With that, I recognize
    Mr. Kratsios for your opening statement.

     STATEMENT OF MICHAEL KRATSIOS, NOMINEE TO BE DIRECTOR, OFFICE
                    OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY

        Mr. Kratsios. Thank you, Senator Hagerty, for your generous
    introduction. And thank you, Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member
    Cantwell, and other members of this esteemed committee for
    inviting me to appear before you today.
        Let me also give my thanks to my family, some of whom are
    in attendance, to my parents, John and Maria, my sister, Katie,
    my brother-in-law, Mark, and my beautiful wife, Alyssa. Thank
    you. I could not have come this far without your love and
    encouragement. It is the honor of my lifetime to sit before
    this committee as President Donald J. Trump's nominee for
    Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy.
        In his second inaugural address, the President promised
    that his Administration will work to usher in the golden age of
    America. I believe in that promise and will dedicate myself to
    fulfilling it. In the last Trump Administration, as a fourth
    Chief Technology Officer of the United States and an Associate
    Director of OSTP, I led national initiatives on artificial
    intelligence and quantum information science.
        I promulgated budget priorities that led to the Federal
    Government doubling research and development spending in those
    areas. I drafted non-regulatory guidance for emerging
    technologies to give the public trust in how these technologies
    are developed and used. I saw firsthand how the actions that we
    took at OSTP could enable new industries to take hold and to
    deliver benefits to the American people.
        For a century, the United States has stood at the forefront
    of science and technology. We split the atom for war and for
    peace. We put man on the moon and brought him back again. And
    with the transistor and integrated circuit, we steered the
    globe into the digital age. Thanks to these breakthroughs,
    Americans have enjoyed unprecedented economic prosperity.
        We must preserve that inheritance to share with future
    generations and to ensure that the tools and the technologies
    that give shape to our world always help people live
    productive, meaningful lives. In recent years, other countries
    have sought to supplant the United States and claim science and
    technology leadership for themselves.
        In particular, China has emerged as both our preeminent
    geopolitical rival and our most formidable technological and
    scientific competitor. Central to this competition is a new
    frontier of scientific discovery that lies before us. The shape
    of future global order will be defined by whomever leads across
    AI, quantum, nuclear, and other critical and emerging
    technologies. Chinese progress in nuclear fusion, quantum
    technologies, and autonomous systems all press home the urgency
    of the work ahead.
        As President Trump has said, as our global competitors race
    to exploit these technologies, it is a national security
    imperative for the United States to achieve and maintain
    unquestioned and unchallenged global technological dominance.
        The Office of Science and Technology Policy will be
    critical to this effort in advising the President and
    coordinating the national initiatives needed to rise to the
    challenge and deliver to the American people. I am committed to
    American leadership in emerging technologies, and to ensuring
    that all Americans benefit from scientific and technological
    breakthroughs.
        As Director, I will build a deep bench of policy experts to
    ensure that the President and the White House have the
    necessary technical advice to meet the challenges of our
    moment. If we are to lead the world in science and technology
    for the next century, to continue to provide for the American
    citizenry, to enhance our national security, to imprint the
    future with American character and improve the welfare of all
    mankind, the only way to do so will be to double down on what
    has made our history of innovation so great, the uniquely
    American free market approach to scientific discovery, which
    harnesses the combined strength of Government, industry, and
    academia.
        With your support, this Administration will usher in a
    golden age of American innovation. Thank you, and I look
    forward to your questions.
        [The prepared statement and biographical information of Mr.
    Kratsios follow:]

      Prepared Statement of Michael J.K. Kratsios, Nominee for Director,
                    Office of Science and Technology Policy
        Thank you, Sen. Hagerty, for your generous introduction, and thank
    you, Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member Cantwell, and the other members of
    this esteemed committee for inviting me to appear before you today.
        Let me also give my thanks to my family, some of whom are in
    attendance. To my parents, John and Maria, my sister Kaity, my brother-
    in-law Mark, and my beautiful wife, Alissa--thank you. I could not have
    come this far without your love and encouragement.
        It is the honor of my lifetime to sit before this committee as
    President Donald J. Trump's nominee for Director of the Office of
    Science and Technology Policy. In his second inaugural address, the
    President promised that his administration will work to usher in the
    Golden Age of America. I believe in that promise, and will dedicate
    myself to fulfilling it.
        In the last Trump Administration, as the fourth Chief Technology
    Officer of the United States, and an Associate Director of OSTP, I led
    national initiatives on artificial intelligence and quantum information
    science. I promulgated budget priorities that led to the Federal
    Government doubling research and development spending in those areas. I
    drafted non-regulatory guidance for emerging technologies to give the
    public trust in how these technologies are developed and used. I saw
    firsthand how the actions that we took at OSTP could enable new
    industries to take hold, and to deliver benefits to the American
    people.
        For a century, the United States has stood at the forefront of
    science and technology. We split the atom, for war and for peace. We
    put a man on the moon and brought him back again. And with the
    transistor and the integrated circuit, we steered the globe into the
    digital age.
        Thanks to these breakthroughs, Americans have enjoyed unprecedented
    economic prosperity. We must preserve that inheritance to share with
    future generations, and to ensure that the tools and technologies that
    give shape to our world always help people to live productive,
    meaningful lives.
        In recent years, other countries have sought to supplant the United
    States and claim science and technology leadership for themselves. In
    particular, China has emerged as both our preeminent geopolitical rival
    and our most formidable technological and scientific competitor.
        Central to this competition is the new frontier of scientific
    discovery that lies before us. The shape of future global order will be
    defined by whomever leads across AI, quantum, nuclear, and other
    critical and emerging technologies. Chinese progress in nuclear fusion,
    quantum technologies, and autonomous systems all press home the urgency
    of the work ahead.
        As President Trump has said, ``as our global competitors race to
    exploit these technologies, it is a national security imperative for
    the United States to achieve and maintain unquestioned and unchallenged
    global technological dominance.''
        The Office of Science and Technology Policy will be critical to
    this effort, in advising the President and coordinating the national
    initiatives needed to rise to the challenge and deliver for the
    American people. I am committed to American leadership in emerging
    technologies, and to ensuring that all Americans benefit from
    scientific and technological advances. As Director, I will build a deep
    bench of policy experts to ensure that the President and the White
    House have the necessary technical advice to meet the challenges of our
    moment.
        If we are to lead the world in science and technology for the next
    century, to continue to provide for the American citizenry, to enhance
    our national security, to imprint the future with American character
    and improve the welfare of all mankind, the only way to do so will be
    to double down on what has made our history of innovation great: the
    uniquely American free-market approach to scientific discovery, which
    harnesses the combined strengths of government, industry, and academia.
        With your support, this administration will usher in a Golden Age
    of American Innovation. Thank you. I look forward to your questions.
                                     ______

                          a. biographical information
        1. Name (Include any fo1mer names or nicknames used): Michael John
    Kotsakas Kratsios.
        2. Position to which nominated: Director of the Office of Science
    and Technology Policy.
        3. Date of Nomination: January 22, 2025.
        4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses):

            Residence: Information not released to the public.
            Office: Information not provided.

        5. Date and Place of Birth: 11/7/1986; Salisbury, Maryland.
        6. Provide the name, position, and place of employment for your
    spouse (if married) or domestic partner, and the names and ages of your
    children (including stepchildren and children by a previous marriage).

            Alissa Stephanie Davies, Public Policy Manager, Coinbase.

        7. List all college and graduate schools attended, whether or not
    you were granted a degree by the institution. Provide the name of the
    institution, the dates attended, the degree received, and the date of
    the degree.

            AB in Politics, Princeton University, 2004-2008

        8. List all post-undergraduate employment, including the job title,
    name of employer, and inclusive dates of employment, and highlight all
    management-level jobs held and any non-managerial jobs that relate to
    the position for which you are nominated.

            Analyst, Barclays Investment Bank, 2009-2010

            Analyst, Lyford Group International, 2010

            Associate, Clarium Capital Management, 2010-2011

            Chief Compliance Officer, Clarium Capital Management, 2011-2014

            Chief Compliance Officer, Thiel Capital, 2012-2014

            Chief Compliance Officer, Thiel Macro, 2012-2014

            Chief Financial Officer, Clarium Capital Management, 2014-2015

            Principal and Chief of Staff, Thiel Capital, 2014-2017

            Deputy Assistant to the President & Deputy U.S. Chief
            Technology Officer, The White House Office of Science and
            Technology Policy, 2017-2019

            Chief Technology Officer of the United States and Associate
            Director, The White House Office of Science and Technology
            Policy, 2019-2021

            Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering
            (Acting), United States Department of Defense, 2020-2021

            Managing Director, Scale AI, 2021-2025

        9. Attach a copy of your resume.
        See attachment 1.
        10. List any advisory, consultative, honorary, or other part-time
    service or positions with Federal, State, or local governments, other
    than those listed above after 18 years of age. None.
        11. List all positions held as an officer, director, trustee,
    partner, proprietor, agent, representative, or consultant of any
    corporation, company, firm, partnership, or other business, enterprise,
    educational, or other institution.

            Trustee, Foundation for Student Communication Inc. (Business
            Today), 2007-2017, 2021-2025

            Chief Compliance Officer, Clarium Capital Management, 2011-2014

            Chief Compliance Officer, Thiel Capital, 2012-2014

            Chief Compliance Officer, Thiel Macro, 2012-2014

            Board of Directors, International Model United Nations
            Association, 2013-2016

            Chief Financial Officer, Clarium Capital Management, 2014-2015

            Consultant, HySpecIQ, 2021

            Managing Director, Scale AI, 2021-2025

            Manager, Board of Managers, Improbable U.S. Defense & National
            Security, 2022

            Member, Strategic Research Advisory Board, University of
            Oklahoma, 2023-2024

            Member of the Board, Foundation for American Innovation, 2023-
            2025

            Senior Advisor, Dunes Point Capital, 2024-2025

            Distinguished Visiting Fellow, Stanford Institute for Human-
            Centered Artificial Intelligence, 2024-2025

        12. List all memberships you have had after 18 years of age or
    currently hold with any civic, social, charitable, educational,
    political, professional, fraternal, benevolent or religiously
    affiliated organization, private club, or other membership organization
    (You do not have to list your religious affiliation or membership in a
    religious house of worship or institution). Include dates of membership
    and any positions you have held with any organization. Please note
    whether any such club or organization restricts membership on the basis
    of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, or disability.

            Member, American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association,
            2018 to present

            Member, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, 2021 to present

            Member, 5 Hertford Street, 2024 to present

        13. Have you ever been a candidate for and/or held a public office
    (elected, non-elected, or appointed)? If so, indicate whether any
    campaign has any outstanding debt, the amount, and whether you are
    personally liable for that debt.
        Yes. I was appointed Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy
    U.S. Chief Technology Officer by President Donald J. Trump in 2017. I
    was nominated by President Donald J. Trump and confirmed by the U.S.
    Senate as Chief Technology Officer of the United States and Associate
    Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy in 2019. I was
    named Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering by
    President Donald J. Trump in 2020. I was appointed Assistant to the
    President for Science and Technology and nominated to serve as the
    Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy by President
    Donald J. Trump in 2025.
        No, I have no outstanding campaign debt.
        14. List all memberships and offices held with and services
    rendered to, whether compensated or not, any political party or
    election committee within the past ten years. If you have held a paid
    position or served in a formal or official advisory position (whether
    compensated or not) in a political campaign within the past ten years,
    identify the particulars of the campaign, including the candidate, year
    of the campaign, and your title and responsibilities. None.
        15. Itemize all political contributions to any individual, campaign
    organization, political party, political action committee, or similar
    entity of $200 or more for the past ten years.

            Blake Masters for Senate, 2021, $5,800

            Citizens for Will Scharf, 2022, $2,650

            Blake Masters for Congress, 2023, $6,600

        16. List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary
    society memberships, military medals, and any other special recognition
    for outstanding service or achievements.

            National Merit Scholarship Recipient

            American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association
            Educational Foundation

            Scholarship Recipient

            Hellenic Studies Senior Thesis Prize (Princeton University)

            Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service

            Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Archbishop Iakovos
            Leadership 100 Award for Excellence

            Distinguished Visiting Fellow, Stanford Institute for Human-
            Centered Artificial Intelligence Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of
            America Medal of Saint Paul

        17. List all books, articles, columns, letters to the editor,
    Internet blog postings, or other publications you have authored,
    individually or with others. Include a link to each publication when
    possible. If a link is not available, provide a digital copy of the
    publication when available.

            China Poses Security Threat at American Ports, Newsweek.
            September 11, 2023
            https://www.newsweek.com/china-poses-security-threat-american-
            ports-opinion-1825423

            End The STA: Stop Helping China Steal, American Conservative.
            August 22, 2023
            https://www.theamericanconservative.com/end-the-sta-stop-
            helping-china-steal

            U.S. State and Local Governments Still Buy Banned Chinese Tech,
            Foreign Affairs. November 1, 2022
            https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/11/01/china-technology-huawei-
            zta-banned-us/

            The Trump Administration Is Investing $1 Billion in Research
            Institutes to Advance Industries of the Future, WhiteHouse.gov.
            August 26, 2020. https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/articles/
            trump-administration-investing-1-billion-research-institutes-
            advance-industries-future/

            Artificial Intelligence Can Serve Democracy, Wall Street
            Journal. May 27, 2020
            https://www.wsj.com/articles/artificial-intelligence-can-serve-
            democracy-11590618319

            Connecting Americans to Coronavirus Information Online,
            WhiteHouse.gov. April 15, 2020
            https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/articles/connecting-
            americans-corona
            virus-information-online/

            AI That Reflects American Values, Bloomberg. January 7, 2020
            https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2020-01-07/ai-that-
            reflects-american-values

            How America Achieved `Quantum Supremacy', Fortune. October 23,
            2019
            https://fortune.com/2019/10/23/google-sycamore-quantum-
            computer-supremacy/

            We used to fly from New York to Paris in 3 hours. Let's do that
            again., The Washington Post. June 25, 2019
            https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-us-should-lead-the-
            way-back-to-supersonic-flight/2019/06/24/f1b884e2-96b7-11e9-
            916d-9c61607d8190_story
            .html

            High Speed Broadband Is Fostering a New Era of Innovation for
            Rural America, Agri-Pulse. February 14, 2019
            https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/11905-opinion-high-speed-
            broadband-is-fostering-a-new-era-of-innovation-for-rural-
            america

            Why the U.S. Needs a Strategy for AI, WIRED. Feb. 2, 2019
            https://www.wired.com/story/a-national-strategy-for-ai

            The future of American aviation is all about drones, CNN. June
            6, 2018
            https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/06/opinions/trump-administration-
            drone-technology-kratsios/index.html

            America Will Win the Global Race to 5G, WhiteHouse.gov. October
            25, 2018
            https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/articles/america-will-win-
            global-race-5g/

            Donald Trump Embraces the Drone Age, The Wall Street Journal.
            October 25, 2017
            https://www.wsj.com/articles/donald-trump-embraces-the-drone-
            age-1508947220

            Economics and Voting in the Third Hellenic Republic: An
            Aggregate and Individual-Level Analysis of the Greek
            Electorate, 1985-2007. April 8, 2008. Princeton University
            Senior Thesis.
            https://issuu.com/mkratsios/docs/economics_and_voting

        18. List all speeches, panel discussions, and presentations (e.g.,
    PowerPoint) that you have given on topics relevant to the position for
    which you have been nominated. Include a link to each publication when
    possible. If a link is not available, provide a digital copy of the
    speech or presentation when available.

              Speeches

    May 1, 2017                  27th National Science Bowl (Department of
                                  Energy)
    June 5, 2017                 United States of America Mathematical
                                  Olympiad Awards Dinner
    September 27, 2017           G7 Industry and Information and
                                  Communication Technologies Ministerial
                                  Meeting
    November 2, 2017             Drone Integration Pilot Program Launch
                                  (Department of Transportation)
    November 13, 2017            Virtuous Circle Summit (Internet
                                  Association)*
    December 13, 2017            Department of Health and Human Services
                                  Innovation Day
    January 9, 2018              Administration's Approach to Innovation and
                                  Tech Policy (CES)*
    February 20, 2018            New Work Summit (New York Times)*
    March 14, 2018               ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit
    March 29, 2018               Center for Democracy & Technology Annual
                                  Dinner
    April 10, 2018               U.S. Chamber of Commerce Tecglobal 2018
    April 19, 2018               Unleashing American Innovation Launch Event
                                  (Department of Commerce)
    May 9, 2018                  U.S. Air Force--National Science Foundation
                                  Collaboration Announcement Event
    May 10, 2018                 White House AI for American Industry Summit
    June 5, 2018                 EmTech Next (MIT Tech Review)*
    July 10, 2018                AI Summit: Investing in Innovation and
                                  Tomorrow's Workforce (Business Software
                                  Alliance)*
    August 21, 2018              FedTalks
    August 28, 2018              University of Mississippi Technology Summit
    September 9, 2018            Tech Olympus Summit*
    September 21, 2018           Reboot 2018 (Lincoln Network)*
    September 24, 2018           White House Quantum Information Sciences
                                  Summit
    September 28, 2018           White House 5G Summit
    October 2, 2018              Commercial UAV Expo*
    November 8, 2018             Technology 202 Live: View from the White
                                  House Technology Team (Washington Post
                                  Techonomy)*
    November 11, 2018            Global Entrepreneurship Summit Launch Event
    November 15, 2018            Business Roundtable CEO Innovation Summit*
    December 6, 2018             NSF Expeditions in Computing Event
    January 19, 2019             State of the Net
    January 29, 2019             Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute
                                  Tech Talk
    February 27, 2019            The White House: Accelerating America's
                                  Leadership in Artificial Intelligence
                                  (Center for New American Security)
    February 28, 2019            Preparing for the G20 (US Chamber of
                                  Commerce)*
    March 1, 2019                DARPA AI Colloquium
    March 7, 2019                Safeguarding the Crown Jewels of U.S.
                                  Innovation (SXSW)*
    March 12, 2019               Consumer Technology Association Innovation
                                  Policy Day (SXSW)
    March 19, 2019               The AI Agenda (The Economist)*
    March 27, 2019               Blueprint York
    April 9, 2019                Domestic Drone Safety and Security Series*
    April 18, 2019 2nd           Annual Choctaw Nation Emerging Aviation
                                  Conference
    April 30, 2019               2019 Digital Patriots Dinner
    May 21, 2019                 OECD Ministerial Council Meeting
    September 10, 2019           Center for Data Innovation Forum on AI
    September 17, 2019           Samsung Solve for Tomorrow STEM Contest's
                                  10th Year Launch
    November 4, 2019             Stanford Institute for Human-Centered
                                  Artificial Intelligence's (HAI) 2019 Fall
                                  Conference on Ethics, Policy and
                                  Governance*
    November 7, 2019             Web Summit
    January 8, 2020              US Approach to AI, CES*
    January 9, 2020              Conversation with WIRED, CES*
    February 10, 2020            Hudson Institute: America's Global Tech
                                  Leadership: A Conversation with U.S. CTO
                                  Michael Kratsios*
    August 12, 2020              U.S. Tech Leadership in an Era of
                                  Competition*
    August 18, 2020              DARPA Electronics Resurgence Initiative
                                  2.0*
    October 16, 2020             SACC-USA Executive Forum 2020*
    March 2, 2021                Innovative Greeks*
    May 18, 2021                 Tools of the Trade: Enabling Public Purpose
                                  in Science and Technology Policy*
    September 16, 2021           Key Technology Focus Areas: Where's Our
                                  Advantage and How Do We Capture It?*
    October 1, 2020              POLITICO AI Summit Interview*
    November 10, 2021            Accelerate AI adoption & Importance of AI
                                  Models Update on Emerging Tech Horizons*
    March 23, 2023               Harnessing the power of AI*
    September 27, 2023           POLITICO AI and Tech Summit*
    October 24, 2023             FII7 Priority Summit*
    November 9, 2023             Understanding AI: AlixTalks with Simon
                                  Freakley, Michael Kratsios and Amna Nawaz
    March 6, 2024                DeepFest*
    April 11, 2024               Advancing America's Leadership in AI*
    April 25, 2024               RAISE Summit
    June 14, 2024                The Ultimate Disrupter: AI's Impact on
                                  Geopolitics & Global Governance*
    September 6, 2024            Role of Business: Policy Implications of
                                  Industry Leadership in AI*
    September 17, 2024           POLITICO AI & Tech Summit*
    October 18, 2024             Oxford Generative AI Summit 2024*

    * Armchair conversation (Q&A)

        19. List all public statements you have made during the past ten
    years, including statements in news articles and radio and podcasts and
    television appearances, which are on topics relevant to the position
    for which you have been nominated, including dates. Include a link to
    each statement when possible. If a link is not available, provide a
    digital copy of the statement when available.
        In addition to those covered in question 18:

    July 17, 2017                 Construction begins on international mega-
                                   science experiment to understand
                                   neutrinos (Fermilab)
    October 25, 2017              Trump administration to allow quick and
                                   dramatic expansion of drone use
                                   (Washington Post)
    April 19, 2018                The Trump administration is bullish on
                                   tech transfer (Fedscoop)
    May 18, 2018                  White House announces creation of Select
                                   Committee on Artificial Intelligence
                                   (Fedscoop)
    December 16, 2018             Trump signs National Quantum Initiative
                                   into law (Fedscoop)
    February 10, 2020             Trump Wants to Double Spending on AI,
                                   Quantum Computing (WSJ)
    February 26, 2020             White House's top techie explains how AI
                                   initiative will help Seattle tech
                                   community (Geekwire)
    March 23, 2020                White House Announces New Partnership to
                                   Unleash U.S. Supercomputing Resources to
                                   Fight COVID-19 (The White House)
    July 21, 2020                 NSF establishes 3 new institutes to
                                   address critical challenges in quantum
                                   information science (NSF)
    August 10, 2020               DOD Developing Small, Unmanned Aerial
                                   System for Warfighters (Department of
                                   Defense)
    September 30, 2020            U.S. Chief Technology Officer Michael
                                   Kratsios Eyes Greece as Technology Hub
                                   (Greek Reporter)
    August 14, 2020               White House Aims To Boost Funding For AI
                                   And Quantum Tech By 30 percent In 2021
                                   (Fortune)
    August 26, 2020               White House Announces $1 Billion Plan to
                                   Create AI, Quantum Institutes (WSJ)
    October 5, 2020               What, exactly, is a U.S. CTO? (Fedscoop)
    October 8, 2020               DOD Announces $600 Million for 5G
                                   Experimentation and Testing at Five
                                   Installations (Department of Defense)
    October 30, 2020              U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L.
                                   Chao Announces Successful Completion of
                                   Drone Pilot Program, Announces New
                                   Program Called BEYOND (Department of
                                   Transportation)
    December 2, 2020              Australia and U.S. unveil joint hypersonic
                                   program (ADM)
    December 3, 2020              White House pushes civilian agencies to
                                   use trustworthy AI in new executive order
                                   (Fedscoop)
    January 5, 2021               DOD's Inaugural Foray Into 5G
                                   Experimentation on Track (Department of
                                   Defense)
    January 12, 2021              National AI Initiative Office launched by
                                   White House (Fedscoop)
    May 27, 2021                  Scale AI Hires Former U.S. CTO Michael
                                   Kratsios as Head of Strategy (WSJ)
    October 26, 2022              Hundreds of state, local government
                                   entities vulnerable to Chinese espionage:
                                   report (Fox News)
    October 19, 2023              U.S. must act `very carefully' to ensure
                                   China doesn't steal our AI strategy:
                                   Michael Kratsios (Fox Business)
    November 6, 2023              Newscast Radio (BBC)
    August 6, 2024                You Might be Right (podcast)

        20. List all digital platforms (including social media and other
    digital content sites) on which you currently or have formerly operated
    an account, regardless of whether or not the account was held in your
    name or an alias. Include the full name of an ``alias'' or ``handle'',
    including the complete URL and username with hyperlinks, you have used
    on each of the named platforms. Indicate whether the account is active,
    deleted, or dormant. Include a link to each account if possible.

            Facebook: Michael Kratsios [dormant]

            Instagram: mkratsios [active] https://www.instagram.com/
            mkratsios/

            LinkedIn: Michael Kratsios [active]
            https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelkratsios

            Snapchat: scgreek [deleted]

            Tumblr: mkratsios [deleted]

            Twitter: michaelkratsios [active] https://twitter.com/
            michaelkratsios

            Twitter: USCTO45 [dormant/archived]: http://twitter.com/USCTO45

        21. Please identify each instance in which you have testified
    orally or in writing before Congress in a governmental or non-
    governmental capacity and specify the date, committee, and subject
    matter of each testimony.

            July 17, 2019. Confirmation Hearing for Associate Director of
            the Office of Science and Technology Policy. Senate Committee
            on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. https://
            www.commerce.senate.gov/2019/7/committee-announces-nominations-
            hearing

            January 15, 2020. Hearing on Industries of the Future. Senate
            Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. https://
            www.commerce.senate.gov/services/files/B7184908-E657-441C-967A-
            871D8A80B0F0

            October 18, 2023. Hearing on Balancing Knowledge and
            Governance: Foundations for Effective Risk Management of
            Artificial Intelligence. Joint Oversight & Investigations and
            Research & Technology Subcommittee of the House Committee on
            Science, Space, and Technology. https://republicans-
            science.house.gov/_cache/files/7/1/711d0748-8914-45e2-ab30-
            2b1ae3e4753f/BF3123DB9859C190F2A8F72344BAC68B.mr.-kratsios--
            testimony.pdf

        22. Given the current mission, major programs, and major
    operational objectives of the department/agency/commission/corporation
    to which you have been nominated, what in your background or employment
    experience do you believe affirmatively qualifies you for appointment
    to the position for which you have been nominated, and why do you wish
    to serve in that position?
        In the previous Trump Administration, I had the honor of serving as
    the fourth Chief Technology Officer of the United States and the
    Associate Director of OSTP for Technology, where I was confirmed by
    unanimous consent by the U.S. Senate. In this capacity, I led national
    technology policy initiatives on critical emerging technologies,
    including the bipartisan National AI Initiative and National Quantum
    Initiative Acts. I played a key role in establishing the National AI
    Initiative Office and the National Quantum Coordination Office at OSTP,
    drafting the Administration's research and development (R&D) budget
    priorities, and securing a historic doubling of Federal AI and quantum
    research funding. Additionally, I spearheaded the creation of a
    billion-dollar program to establish a network of AI and quantum
    research institutes nationwide, and developed pioneering regulatory
    principles for AI governance. On the global stage, I led U.S.
    technology efforts at the G7, G20, and OECD, where I helped shape the
    world's first intergovernmental AI policy guidelines.
        Having spent four years leading OSTP's technology efforts, I deeply
    understand the office's role within the Executive Office of the
    President and how to effectively support the President's science and
    technology agenda. I also served as the acting Under Secretary of
    Defense for Research and Engineering, where I oversaw the Department of
    Defense's $60 billion R&D budget--the largest R&D budget for a single
    organization globally. I managed the DoD's laboratory enterprise,
    supervising all research, engineering, development, and prototyping at
    the Pentagon. I understand the importance of science and technology to
    our national security and how to work across the interagency to
    successfully coordinate national S&T policy.
        For the past four years, I have worked as the Managing Director of
    Scale AI, one of the largest privately held AI companies in the world.
    Given the central role that artificial intelligence will play in the
    coming decade, and with much of the innovation driven by the private
    sector, I believe my background uniquely qualifies me to bridge the gap
    between government and industry in this critical technology area.
    Additionally, I have served as a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the
    Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI, where I've further deepened
    my understanding of the intersection between AI, policy, and the
    Nation. Maintaining American leadership in AI and other emerging
    technologies will require the U.S. to leverage the totality of its S&T
    enterprise, fostering collaboration among industry, academia, and
    government.
        I am driven by the belief that embracing technological innovation
    and developing new technologies rooted in American values is key to
    securing a stronger future for our country. I wish to serve in this
    role to continue advancing these goals and help ensure that the U.S.
    remains at the forefront of science and technology for the benefit of
    all Americans.
        23. What do you believe are your responsibilities, if confirmed, to
    ensure that the department/agency/commission/corporation has proper
    management and accounting controls, and what experience do you have in
    managing a large organization?
        As Director of OSTP, I would be responsible for ensuring that the
    office's resources are managed effectively and in alignment with its
    mission and strategic priorities. This includes overseeing that all
    management processes, financial controls, and reporting procedures meet
    established laws and regulations. It is critical that we maintain
    transparency and accountability in all aspects of OSTP's operations,
    ensuring that taxpayer resources are used efficiently to advance our
    national science and technology agenda. During my previous tenure at
    OSTP, I led the technology policy team, managing the development and
    dissemination of numerous reports, executive orders, presidential
    memoranda, and initiatives across a wide range of fields--from
    artificial intelligence and quantum computing to STEM education and
    rural broadband. In doing so, I worked closely with cross-functional
    teams to ensure that our work was executed on time and within budget,
    meeting the highest standards of quality and compliance.
        In addition to my work at OSTP, I have substantial experience
    managing large, fast-growing organizations. As Managing Director of
    Scale AI, I was part of a team that helped grow the company to nearly
    $14 billion valuation, while significantly increasing the workforce to
    support this rapid expansion in under four years. My role required
    overseeing complex operational and strategic decisions, managing large
    budgets, and ensuring that the company's operations were aligned with
    our long-term goals. This experience has given me a strong
    understanding of how to scale an organization while maintaining
    efficiency, financial integrity, and accountability.
        Earlier in my career, I served as Principal and Chief of Staff at
    Thiel Capital, where I worked across various affiliated entities,
    including venture capital funds, hedge funds, and a philanthropic
    organization. In this capacity, I provided strategic support and
    ensured that projects were executed efficiently and effectively.
    Additionally, as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer
    of Clarium Capital Management, a global macro hedge fund, I oversaw all
    operations, financial reporting, and compliance functions.
        24. What do you believe to be the top three challenges facing the
    department/agency/commission/corporation, and why?
        The first challenge facing OSTP today is ensuring American
    leadership in the development and deployment of critical and emerging
    technologies--such as artificial intelligence and quantum information
    science--to strengthen our economic and national security. In an era of
    geopolitical competition increasingly centered on technology rather
    than just military power, it's essential that the United States
    maintain technological superiority and that these technologies are
    developed in alignment with American values. Achieving this will
    require proactive policies to maximize the effectiveness of the Federal
    government's role in America's research and development (R&D)
    ecosystem, in partnership with academia and industry. OSTP plays a
    crucial role in identifying key Federal R&D investment priorities and
    improving the coordination of these investments across the government.
    We must think creatively about how the Federal government can help
    catalyze the American S&T enterprise, pairing R&D with necessary
    investments in infrastructure, workforce development, and technology
    governance to ensure these innovations serve national interests.
        The second challenge is ensuring that all Americans benefit from
    the scientific and technological advances we make in developing these
    emerging technologies. This requires sound Federal policies to
    facilitate technology transfer from federally funded research to the
    commercial sector, and to ensure that such research is disseminated
    widely across both academic and industry spheres. As OSTP's authorizing
    statute outlines, it is the government's responsibility to ``facilitate
    the close coupling of institutional scientific research with the
    commercial application of the useful findings of science.'' By
    promoting stronger collaboration between the government and the private
    sector, we can turn the discoveries from Federal labs into technologies
    that benefit all Americans--and the world. In certain areas, a
    deregulatory agenda will be necessary to eliminate barriers that stifle
    innovation, enabling the brightest minds in our Nation to thrive. This
    approach will also foster the testing and evaluation of new
    technologies, which, along with responsible oversight, will build
    public trust and accelerate technology adoption. As technology
    increasingly permeates every facet of our lives, we must engage a
    broader set of stakeholders to ensure the benefits of scientific and
    technological achievements are felt by all Americans.
        Finally, a strong OSTP is critical for informing the President's
    economic and national security policies through independent, expert
    judgment. To be effective, OSTP must be staffed with a team of highly
    skilled professionals capable of providing well-researched scientific
    and technical analysis. This team must work closely with other White
    House entities, such as the National Economic Council and the National
    Security Council, to develop integrated, cross-cutting policies.
    Additionally, effective staffing of the National Science and Technology
    Council (NSTC)--which coordinates Federal science and technology policy
    across the interagency--will allow OSTP to leverage expertise across
    the government and drive innovative solutions that serve both national
    security and economic strategy. Building OSTP's capacity to foster
    strong interagency collaboration and providing necessary expertise to
    the NSTC will be vital in advancing the President's agenda and leading
    efforts to address critical technology challenges.
                       b. potential conflicts of interest
        1. Describe all financial arrangements, deferred compensation
    agreements, and other continuing dealings with business associates,
    clients, or customers. Please include information related to retirement
    accounts, such as a 401(k) or pension plan.
        Thiel Capital: As approved by OSTP Ethics Counsel and OGE, I will
    continue to participate in my former employer's 401(k) plan. The former
    employer no longer makes contributions to this plan.
        Scale AI: My employment at Scale AI ended on January 17, 2024. As
    approved by OSTP Ethics Counsel and OGE, I will continue to participate
    in my former employer's 401(k) plan and HSA. The former employer no
    longer makes contributions to this plan or HSA.
        2. Do you have any commitments or agreements, formal or informal,
    to maintain employment, affiliation, or practice with any business,
    association, or other organization during your appointment? If so,
    please explain. No.
        3. Indicate any investments, obligations, liabilities, or other
    relationships which could involve potential conflicts of interest in
    the position to which you have been nominated. Explain how you will
    resolve each potential conflict of interest.
        I hold equity and options in Scale AI, bitcoin, and ethereum. I
    will divest of these assets if confirmed, per my ethics agreement. I
    will follow all recusal obligations as described in my ethics
    agreement.
        4. Describe any business relationship, dealing, or financial
    transaction which you have had during the last ten years, whether for
    yourself, on behalf of a client, or acting as an agent, that could in
    any way constitute or result in a possible conflict of interest in the
    position to which you have been nominated. Explain how you will resolve
    each potential conflict of interest.
        I worked for Scale AI from March 2021 until January 17, 2024. I am
    no longer an employee and will divest of all of my Scale assets, per my
    ethics agreement. I will follow all recusal obligations as described in
    my Ethics Agreement.
        5. Identify any other potential conflicts of interest and explain
    how you will resolve each potential conflict of interest.
        I served as a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Stanford University
    and a Board Member of the Foundation for American Innovation, as well
    as on an advisory board at the University of Oklahoma. I will follow
    all recusal obligations as described in my Ethics Agreement.
        6. Describe any activity during the past ten years, including the
    names of clients represented, in which you have been engaged for the
    purpose of directly or indirectly influencing the passage, defeat, or
    modification of any legislation or affecting the administration and
    execution of law or public policy. None.
                                c. legal matters
        1. Have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics,
    professional misconduct, or retaliation by, or been the subject of a
    complaint to, any court, administrative agency, the Office of Special
    Counsel, an Inspector General, professional association, disciplinary
    committee, or other professional group? If yes:

      a.  Provide the name of the court, agency, association, committee, or
            group;

      b.  Provide the date the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or
            personnel action was issued or initiated;

      c.  Describe the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or
            personnel action;

      d.  Provide the results of the citation, disciplinary action,
            complaint, or personnel action.
        No.
        2. Have you ever been investigated, arrested, charged, or held by
    any Federal, State, or other law enforcement authority of any Federal,
    State, county, municipal, or foreign government entity, other than for
    a minor traffic offense? If so, please explain. No.
        3. Have you or any business or nonprofit of which you are or were
    an officer ever been involved as a party in an administrative agency
    proceeding, criminal proceeding, or civil litigation? If so, please
    explain.
        I am named as a defendant in a putative class action filed on
    December 10, 2024 against a former employer by individuals alleging
    California labor law claims related to their status as independent
    contractors.
        4. Have you ever been convicted (including pleas of guilty or nolo
    contendere) of any criminal violation other than a minor traffic
    offense? If so, please explain. No.
        5. Have you ever been accused, formally or informally, of sexual
    assault, sexual harassment, or discrimination on the basis of sex,
    race, religion, or any other basis? If so, please explain. No.
        6. Please advise the Committee of any additional information,
    favorable or unfavorable, which you feel should be disclosed in
    connection with your nomination.
        Not applicable.
                         d. relationship with committee
        1. Will you ensure that your department/agency/commission/
    corporation complies with deadlines for information set by
    congressional committees, and that your department/agency/commission/
    corporation endeavors to timely comply with requests for information
    from individual Members of Congress, including requests from members in
    the minority? Yes.
        2. Will you ensure that your department/agency/commission/
    corporation does whatever it can to protect congressional witnesses and
    whistleblowers from reprisal for their testimony and disclosures? Yes.
        3. Will you cooperate in providing the Committee with requested
    witnesses, including technical experts and career employees, with
    firsthand knowledge of matters of interest to the Committee? Yes.
        4. Are you willing to appear and testify before any duly
    constituted committee of the Congress on such occasions as you may be
    reasonably requested to do so? Yes.
                                     ______

                                  Attachment 1
    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

        The Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Kratsios. Mr. Meador.

    STATEMENT OF MARK MEADOR, NOMINEE TO BE A COMMISSIONER, FEDERAL
                            TRADE COMMISSION

        Mr. Meador. Thank you, Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member
    Cantwell, and members of the Senate Commerce Committee. It was
    a pleasure meeting with several of you and your staff over the
    past weeks, and it is an honor to be with you all today.
        I am humbled by the trust and confidence President Trump
    has placed in me to serve as a Commissioner on the Federal
    Trade Commission and to help implement his agenda to improve
    the lives of American families. Thank you for this opportunity
    to serve our country.
        Thank you also, Senator Lee, for your very kind
    introduction, your unfailing support and friendship, and the
    opportunity to serve as your antitrust counselor, not once, but
    twice. Your example of leadership has provided a model of
    public service that I will strive to emulate in my entire
    career.
        Before offering some brief remarks, I would like to
    recognize several people who have joined me here today. First
    and foremost is my best friend, confidant, and devoted wife,
    Adrienne, who has joined me along with our six children,
    Constance, who is 13, Ross, who is 12, Ambrose, who is 10,
    Veronica, who is 8, Silas, who is 6, and John, who is 3.
        Many people have heard me say--by the way, I am impressed
    that I remembered all of those. That is my--that was my goal
    for the day.
        [Laughter.]
        Mr. Meador. Yes. That makes it easier, actually. Many
    people have heard me say that working in the Senate was the
    best job I ever had. But truth be told, even if I am confirmed
    to this position, carrying and providing for the seven people
    seated behind me will always be my best and most important job.
        Last, but far from least, I am also joined today by my
    parents, Brad and Elise Meador, to whom I owe more than time
    permits me to recount. After my faith in Christ, the greatest
    gift my parents gave me was a childhood marked by unconditional
    love and a dedication to others. After growing up the son of a
    nomadic Army officer, my dad prioritized stability for our
    family.
        He turned down other jobs to continue his career with the
    United States Postal Service, and always made sure there was
    time to teach me to golf or accompany me on camping trips. My
    mom was always there for us when we got home from school, even
    while working part time to make ends meet, and yet somehow also
    found time to open a soup kitchen at our church.
        Thank you both for teaching me the value of service, and
    how to be a loving and present father, and husband for my own
    family. These examples of hard work and sacrifice were deeply
    formative for me and solidified my decision to embark on a
    career of public service.
        As many of you know, I have worked as a Federal antitrust
    enforcer and policy advisor, including at the Department of
    Justice's Antitrust Division and here in the Senate. And if I
    am fortunate enough to be confirmed to this position, I will be
    returning home to where I began my career, the Federal Trade
    Commission.
        To do so would be the honor of a lifetime. The FTC plays a
    critical role in protecting American consumers. Its twin
    missions, to stop unfair methods of competition and to protect
    consumers, have arguably never been more important. President
    Trump is correct that America is facing an affordability
    crisis.
        Our free market system is the bedrock of the American
    economy, and yet many Americans feel that it is no longer
    working for them or to their benefit. They value hard work and
    free enterprise, but at times feel that honest competition has
    been replaced by concentrated economic powers that take them
    for granted. A truly free market, however, requires the
    availability of meaningful choices for consumers.
        This includes the benefit of vibrant competition that leads
    to lower prices and higher quality. It also means acknowledging
    that Americans are not just consumers, they are mothers and
    fathers, neighbors and friends. Protecting competition in all
    of our markets is essential to ensuring that America's free
    market economy operates as our servant, not our master.
        At the same time that American families are struggling to
    make ends meet, fraudulent and deceptive practices threaten not
    just their wealth, but the well-being of their children and
    loved ones. Unscrupulous actors seek to profit off our children
    by exploiting their privacy, innocence, and vulnerability.
        Chairman Cruz put it especially well when he remarked that
    today's families face a challenge previous generations could
    not imagine, a rapidly changing digital environment targeting
    our kids. Parents struggle to navigate the maze of putatively
    free services and social media sites that impose hidden but
    growing costs on their children's mental health and safety.
        One of the FTC's most important missions in the years to
    come will be using its consumer protection authority to
    safeguard families from those seeking to take advantage of the
    most vulnerable.
        If confirmed, I will work to ensure that the FTC's precious
    enforcement resources are focused on the cases most needed to
    protect consumers and move the law in the right direction, not
    wasted on pet projects that risk making bad law or distract
    from addressing real threats to American consumers.
        FTC enforcement decisions should be based on the facts and
    the law, and the law should be vigorously and fairly enforced.
    America needs an FTC that is focused on law enforcement,
    provides clear guidance, and ensures the public's trust in the
    agency, and FTC staff need leaders who work alongside them, not
    just over them.
        The challenges facing our economy are great, but so is our
    resolve. If I am fortunate enough to be confirmed as a
    Commissioner on the Federal Trade Commission, I look forward to
    working with Chairman Ferguson and my fellow Commissioners to
    help American consumers by fighting to protect the competitive
    process that keeps markets free and the families that give
    value to our freedom. Thank you, and I look forward to
    answering your questions.
        [The prepared statement and biographical information of Mr.
    Meador follow:]

       Prepared Statement of Mark R. Meador, Nominee to be Commissioner,
                            Federal Trade Commission
        Thank you, Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member Cantwell, and members of
    the Senate Commerce Committee. It was a pleasure meeting with several
    of you and your staff over the past weeks, and it is in an honor to be
    with you all today.
        I am humbled by the trust and confidence President Trump has placed
    in me to serve as a Commissioner on the Federal Trade Commission, and
    to help implement his agenda to improve the lives of American families.
    Thank you for this opportunity to serve our country.
        Thank you also, Senator Lee, for your very kind introduction, your
    unfailing support and friendship, and the opportunity to serve as your
    antitrust counselor not once, but twice. Your example of leadership has
    provided a model of public service that I will strive to emulate my
    entire career.
        Before offering some brief remarks, I would like to recognize
    several people who have joined me here today.
        First and foremost is my best friend, confidant, and devoted wife,
    Adrienne, who has joined me along with our six children: Constance, 13;
    Ross, 12; Ambrose, 10; Veronica, 8; Silas, 6; and John, 3. Many people
    have heard me say that working in the senate was the best job I ever
    had. But truth be told, even if I am confirmed to this position, caring
    and providing for the seven people seated behind me will always be my
    best and most important job.
        Last, but far from least, I am also joined today by my parents,
    Brad and Elyce Meador, to whom I owe more than time permits me to
    recount. After my faith in Christ, the greatest gift my parents gave me
    was a childhood marked by unconditional love and a dedication to
    others.
        After growing up the son of a nomadic Army officer, my dad
    prioritized stability for our family. He turned down other jobs to
    continue his career with the United States Postal Service, and always
    made sure there was time to teach me to golf or accompany me on camping
    trips. My mom was always there for us when we got home from school,
    even while working part-time to make ends meet, and yet somehow also
    found time to open a soup kitchen at our church. Thank you, both, for
    teaching me the value of service and how to be a loving and present
    father and husband for my own family.
        These examples of hard work and sacrifice were deeply formative for
    me, and solidified my decision to embark on a career of public service.
        As many of you here know, I have worked as a Federal antitrust
    enforcer and policy advisor, including at the Department of Justice's
    Antitrust Division and here in the Senate. And if I am fortunate enough
    to be confirmed to this position, I will be returning home to where I
    began my career: the Federal Trade Commission. To do so would be the
    honor of a lifetime.
        The FTC plays a critical role in protecting American consumers. Its
    twin missions--to stop unfair methods of competition, and to protect
    consumers--have arguably never been more important.
        President Trump is correct that America is facing an affordability
    crisis.
        Our free-market system is the bedrock of the American economy, and
    yet many Americans feel that it is no longer working for them or to
    their benefit. They value hard work and free enterprise, but at times
    feel that honest competition has been replaced by concentrated economic
    powers that take them for granted.
        A truly free market, however, requires the availability of
    meaningful choices for consumers. This includes the benefit of vibrant
    competition that leads to lower prices and higher quality. It also
    means acknowledging that Americans are not just consumers--they are
    mothers and fathers, neighbors and friends. Protecting competition in
    all of our markets is essential to ensuring that America's free market
    economy operates as our servant, not our master.
        At the same time that American families are struggling to make ends
    meet, fraudulent and deceptive practices threaten not just their wealth
    but the well-being of their children and loved ones. Unscrupulous
    actors seek to profit off our children by exploiting their privacy,
    innocence, and vulnerability.
        Chairman Cruz put it especially well when he remarked that,
    ``today's families face a challenge previous generations could not
    imagine: a rapidly changing digital environment targeting our kids.''
    Parents struggle to navigate the maze of putatively ``free'' services
    and social media sites that impose hidden, but growing costs on their
    children's mental health and safety. One of the FTC's most important
    missions in the years to come will be using its consumer protection
    authority to safeguard families from those seeking to take advantage of
    the most vulnerable.
        If confirmed, I will work to ensure that the FTC's precious
    enforcement resources are focused on the cases most needed to protect
    consumers and move the law in the right direction, not wasted on pet
    projects that risk making bad law or distract from addressing real
    threats to American consumers. FTC enforcement decisions should be
    based on the facts and the law, and the law should be enforced
    vigorously and fairly.
        America needs an FTC that is focused on law enforcement, provides
    clear guidance, and ensures the public's trust in the agency. And FTC
    staff need leaders who work alongside them, not just over them.
        The challenges facing our economy are great, but so is our resolve.
    If I am fortunate enough to be confirmed as a Commissioner on the
    Federal Trade Commission, I look forward to working with Chairman
    Ferguson and my fellow commissioners to help American consumers by
    fighting to protect the competitive process that keeps markets free and
    the families that give value to our freedom.
        Thank you, and I look forward to answering your questions.
                                     ______

                          a. biographical information
        1. Name (Include any former names or nicknames used): Mark Ross
    Meador.
        2. Position to which nominated: Commissioner, Federal Trade
    Commission.
        3. Date of Nomination: January 20, 2025.
        4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses):

            Residence: Information not released to the public.
            Office: Kressin Meador Powers LLC, 400 7th Street NW, Unit 300,
            Washington, DC 20004.

        5. Date and Place of Birth: March 16, 1985; Bloomington, Indiana.
        6. Provide the name, position, and place of employment for your
    spouse (if married) or domestic partner, and the names and ages of your
    children (including stepchildren and children by a previous marriage).

            Spouse: Adrienne Lee Meador, Teacher, St. Nicholas Academic
            Community.

        7. List all college and graduate schools attended, whether or not
    you were granted a degree by the institution. Provide the name of the
    institution, the dates attended, the degree received, and the date of
    the degree.

            University of Houston Law Center, 2008-2011, J.D. awarded May
            2011
            University of Chicago, 2003-2007, A.B., Philosophy, awarded
            June 2007.

        8. List all post-undergraduate employment, including the job title,
    name of employer, and inclusive dates of employment, and highlight all
    management-level jobs held and any non-managerial jobs that relate to
    the position for which you are nominated.

            Visiting Fellow, The Heritage Foundation Tech Policy Center,
            October 2023 to present*

            Partner, Kressin Meador Powers LLC, July 2023 to present*

            Deputy Chief Counsel for Antitrust & Competition Policy,
            Senator Mike Lee, United States Senate, January 2022 to June
            2023*

            Counsel Detailee, United States Senate Committee on the
            Judiciary, Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy &
            Consumer Rights, July 2020 to December 2021*

            Trial Attorney, United States Department of Justice, Antitrust
            Division, Transportation, Energy & Agriculture Section, August
            2019 to December 2021*

            Associate, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, August
            2016 to July 2019*

            Associate, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, July 2016 to
            August 2016*

            Counsel Detailee, United States Senate Committee on the
            Judiciary, Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy &
            Consumer Rights, August 2015 to July 2016*

            Attorney, Federal Trade Commission, Bureau of Competition,
            Health Care Division, October 2011 to July 2016*

            Legal Editorial Assistant, Jones McClure Publishing, January
            2011 to June 2011

            Law Clerk, Office of the Attorney General of Texas, Antitrust
            Section, June 2010 to November 2010*

            Intern, Liberty Legal Institute (now First Liberty Institute),
            June 2009 to July 2009

            Intern, The Trinity Forum, May 2008 to August 2008

            Legal Assistant, Kass & Moses, P.C., August 2005 to January
            2008

        * denotes management-level jobs and non-managerial jobs that relate
    to the position for which I have been nominated.
        9. Attach a copy of your resume.
        See Attachment A.
        10. List any advisory, consultative, honorary, or other part-time
    service or positions with Federal, State, or local governments, other
    than those listed above after 18 years of age. None.
        11. List all positions held as an officer, director, trustee,
    partner, proprietor, agent, representative, or consultant of any
    corporation, company, firm, partnership, or other business, enterprise,
    educational, or other institution.

            Partner, Kressin Meador Powers LLC
            Visiting Fellow, The Heritage Foundation Tech Policy Center

        12. List all memberships you have had after 18 years of age or
    currently hold with any civic, social, charitable, educational,
    political, professional, fraternal, benevolent or religiously
    affiliated organization, private club, or other membership organization
    (You do not have to list your religious affiliation or membership in a
    religious house of worship or institution). Include dates of membership
    and any positions you have held with any organization. Please note
    whether any such club or organization restricts membership on the basis
    of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, or disability.

            Texas Bar, Member, 2011 to present (inactive since 2017)

            District of Columbia Bar, Member, 2017 to present

            Supreme Court of the United States, Bar Member, 2023 to present

            U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, Bar Member,
            2024 to present

            American Bar Association, Antitrust Law Section, Member, 2011-
            2019, 2023 to present

       Vice-Chair, U.S. Comments & Policy Committee, 2023 to 2024

            The Federalist Society, Member, 2008 to present

       Executive Committee Member, Corporations, Securities &
            Antitrust Practice Group, 2022 to 2024

       Vice President, UHLC Student Chapter, 2009-2010

            American Compass, Member, 2024 to present

            Trail Life USA, Troop VA-1188, Adult Leader, 2023 to present

            Fauquier Amateur Radio Association, Member, 2021 to present

            American Radio Relay League, Member, 2023 to present

            Fan Fairness Coalition, President, 2023 to 2024

            John Sherman Foundation, Board Member, 2024 to 2024

            Boy Scouts of America, Cub Scout Pack 1188, Adult Leader, 2019
            to 2023

            Elite Shooting Sports, Member, 2017 to 2023

            National Rifle Association, Member, 2017 to 2022

            Houston Business & Tax Law Journal, Member, 2009-2011

       Editor-in-Chief, 2010-2011

            UHLC Advocates for Life, Founder and President, 2010-2011

            The Edmund Burke Society, Member, 2004 to present
       Secretary, Winter Quarter 2006

        None of these organizations discriminates on the basis of race,
    color, national origin, age, or disability. Trail Life USA is a
    Christian organization for boys; I am not familiar with any formal
    membership restrictions. None of the other organizations restrict
    membership on the basis of sex or religion.
        13. Have you ever been a candidate for and/or held a public office
    (elected, non-elected, or appointed)? If so, indicate whether any
    campaign has any outstanding debt, the amount, and whether you are
    personally liable for that debt. No.
        14. List all memberships and offices held with and services
    rendered to, whether compensated or not, any political party or
    election committee within the past ten years. If you have held a paid
    position or served in a formal or official advisory position (whether
    compensated or not) in a political campaign within the past ten years,
    identify the particulars of the campaign, including the candidate, year
    of the campaign, and your title and responsibilities. None.
        15. Itemize all political contributions to any individual, campaign
    organization, political party, political action committee, or similar
    entity of $200 or more for the past ten years.

            Trump 47 Committee--$516.43 (October 9, 2024)

        16. List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary
    society memberships, military medals, and any other special recognition
    for outstanding service or achievements.

            Blackstone Fellow, Alliance Defending Freedom

            Dean's Scholar, University of Houston Law Center

            Fellow, The John Jay Institute

            Honors Fellow, Intercollegiate Studies Institute

            Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts of America

        17. List all books, articles, columns, letters to the editor,
    Internet blog postings, or other publications you have authored,
    individually or with others. Include a link to each publication when
    possible. If a link is not available, provide a digital copy of the
    publication when available.

            Mark Meador & Annie Chestnut Tutor, Don't Let Empty Objections
            Stop the Kids Online Safety Act, The Heritage Foundation (Aug.
            6, 2024), https://www.heritage.org/big-tech/commentary/dont-
            let-empty-objections-stop-the-kids-online-safety-act.

            Mark Meador, Ticketmaster's `Legally Permissible' Abuse of
            Monopoly Power Won't Fly, Sportico (July 18, 2024), https://
            www.sportico.com/law/analysis/2024/ticketmasters-abuse-of-
            monopoly-power-wont-fly-1234789894/.

            Mark Meador, Not Enforcing the Robinson-Patman Act is Lawless
            and Likely Harms Consumers, FedSoc Blog (Jul. 9, 2024), https:/
            /fedsoc.org/commentary/fedsoc-blog/not-enforcing-the-robinson-
            patman-act-is-lawless-and-likely-harms-consumers.

            Mark Meador & Joel Thayer, Why the TikTok bill is
            constitutional, The Hill (Mar. 27, 2024, 3:00 PM), https://
            thehill.com/opinion/technology/4536696-why-the-tiktok-bill-is-
            constitutional/.

            Mark Meador, MEADOR: Break Up Live Nation Ticketmaster To
            Protect Fans, Daily Caller (Jan. 26, 2024, 10:59 AM), https://
            dailycaller.com/2024/01/26/meador-live-action-ticketmaster-
            antitrust/.

            International Comparative Legal Guide to: Vertical Agreements
            and Dominant Firms 2018, Chapter 20: USA, available at https://
            www.acc.com/sites/default/files/resources/vl/membersonly/
            Article/1488171_1.pdf.

            International Comparative Legal Guide to: Vertical Agreements
            and Dominant Firms 2017, Chapter 19: USA, available at https://
            www.acc.com/sites/default/files/resources/vl/membersonly/
            Article/1461931_1.pdf.

            Mark R. Meador, Squeezing the Middleman: Ending Underhanded
            Dealing in the Pharmacy Benefit Management Industry Through
            Regulation, 21 Ann. Health Law 77 (2011), available at https://
            papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?
            abstract_id=1875249.

        18. List all speeches, panel discussions, and presentations (e.g.,
    PowerPoint) that you have given on topics relevant to the position for
    which you have been nominated. Include a link to each publication when
    possible. If a link is not available, provide a digital copy of the
    speech or presentation when available.

            Panelist at Heritage Foundation panel: Defending Digital
            Boundaries: The Conservative Case for Online Protection (Sept.
            24, 2024) https://www.heritage.org/big-tech/event/defending-
            digital-boundaries-the-conservative-case-online-protection.

            Panelist at Project Sphere panel: How Does A.I. Affect
            Education?, https://www.projectsphere.org/episode/how-does-a-i-
            affect-education/.

            Panelist at Project Sphere panel: How Should We Address the
            Challenges Around A.I.?, https://www.projectsphere.org/episode/
            how-should-we-address-the-challenges-around-a-i/.

            Panelist at Project Sphere panel: Should We Be Optimistic About
            Technology? Online Access and Connectivity, https://
            www.projectsphere.org/episode/should-we-be-optimistic-about-
            technology-online-access-and-connectivity/.

            Presenter, American Moment Foundations of American Statecraft
            Course, Navigating Antitrust Law: Insights from Policy and
            Practice (April and October 2024).

            Panelist at DOJ-FTC Joint Workshop: Evolving Approaches to
            Mergers Between Rivals from the 2010 HMG to the Draft Merger
            Guidelines (Sept. 5, 2023), https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/
            events/2023/09/2023-draft-merger-
            guidelines-workshop.

            Panelist at ABA Antitrust Law Section Fall Forum panel:
            Legislative Reform--Competition Policy as Staple Gun (Nov. 17,
            2022).

            Panelist at Competition Policy International panel: Challenges
            in Merger Enforcement--Where Next? (Nov. 16, 2022) https://
            www.competitionpolicyinter
            national.com/challenges-in-merger-enforcement-where-next-
            recording.

            Panelist at Bipartisan Policy Center panel: Big Tech and M&A:
            Killer Acquisitions and Kill Zones? (Oct. 31, 2022), https://
            www.youtube.com/watch?v
            =NCD2sdhLUi0.

            Panelist at ABA Antitrust Law Section Legislation Committee
            panel: Update on the State Antitrust Enforcement Venue Act
            (July 11, 2022).

            Keynote Address at the GW Regulatory Studies Center and
            Information Technology and Innovation Foundation Conference:
            Dynamic Competition and Public Policy (April 14, 2022), https:/
            /www.youtube.com/watch?v=zX9E5O-a_Zw&t
            =31705s.

            Panelist at the George Mason Law Review and Global Antitrust
            Institute 25 Years of Antitrust Symposium: Proposals to Change
            the Antitrust Laws (Feb. 25, 2022), https://www.youtube.com/
            watch?v=mHDarN3hQyI.

            Panelist at ABA Antitrust Law Section Legislation Committee
            panel: Antitrust Legislation in Congress in 2016--A Preview
            (Feb. 17, 2016).

        19. List all public statements you have made during the past ten
    years, including statements in news articles and radio and podcasts and
    television appearances, which are on topics relevant to the position
    for which you have been nominated, including dates. Include a link to
    each statement when possible. If a link is not available, provide a
    digital copy of the statement when available.
        I have done my best to identify all public statements I have made
    over the past ten years, including statements in news articles and
    radio and podcasts and television appearances, which are on topics
    relevant to the position for which I have been nominated, including
    through a review of personal files and searches of publicly available
    electronic databases. Despite my best efforts, there may be other
    materials I have been unable to identify, find, or remember. I have
    located the following:

            Merger Monthly: HSR Form's Additional Information Requirements
            Further Institutionalize New Era of Merger Scrutiny, The
            Capitol Forum. Oct. 14, 2024, (digital copy provided).

            Antitrust Case Against Visa Debit Lights the Way for Probe of
            Firm's Dominance in Credit Cards, Industry Experts, Lawyers
            Say, The Capitol Forum, Sept. 26, 2024 (digital copy provided).

            The FOX News Rundown, FOX News Radio (Sep. 9, 2024), https://
            podcasts
            .apple.com/us/podcast/house-probe-of-afghanistan-exit-details-
            catastrophic/id1303660358?i=1000668857119 (discussing Live
            Nation-Ticketmaster).

            Moment of Truth: Google's Worst Day Is Here (ft. Mark Meador),
            American Moment (Aug. 12, 2024), https://www.youtube.com/
            watch?v=hqm4EAVyiAM.

            The Dynamist: Did Google Monopolize Ad-Tech? w/Mark Meador, The
            Foundation for American Innovation (August 8, 2023), https://
            podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-30-did-google-monopolize-
            ad-tech-w-mark-meador/id1528920211.

            Matthew Perlman, 4 Takeaways From Landmark Google Search
            Ruling, Law360, Aug. 6, 2024, https://www.law360.com/articles/
            1867101/4-takeaways
            -from-landmark-google-search-ruling.

            Stefania Palma and James Fontanella-Khan, JD Vance and Kamala
            Harris scramble U.S. dealmakers' election strategies, Financial
            Times, July 24, 2024, https://www.ft.com/content/6be260f4-daeb-
            441c-97c3-67be65242797.

            Ashley Gold and Maria Curi, Tech after a Trump victory, Axios,
            July 17, 2024, https://www.axios.com/pro/tech-policy/2024/07/
            17/tech-after-a-trump-victory.

            Anna Langlois and Ben Remaly, Past settlements may boost DOJ's
            bid for Live Nation breakup, Global Competition Review, May 24,
            2024, https://global
            competitionreview.com/gcr-usa/article/past-settlements-may-
            boost-dojs-bid-live-nation-breakup.

            Daysia Tolentino and Rob Wile, `It is time to break up Live
            Nation': DOJ sues Ticketmaster parent over alleged monopoly,
            NBC News, May 23, 2024, https://www.nbcnews.com/business/
            business-news/ticketmaster-sued-department-justice-monopoly-
            rcna153645.

            Rob Wile, What the Ticketmaster-Live Nation lawsuit could mean
            for fans of live music, NBC News, May 23, 2024, https://
            www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/ticketmaster-live-
            nation-lawsuit-mean-fans-live-music-rcna153739.

            Anna Langlois, Powers moves to antitrust boutique, Global
            Competition Review, April 29, 2024, https://
            globalcompetitionreview.com/gcr-usa/article/powers-moves-
            antitrust-boutique.

            Anna Langlois, Visa, Mastercard allow steering to resolve
            interchange fee case, Global Competition Review, Mar. 27, 2024,
            https://globalcompetition
            review.com/gcr-usa/article/visa-mastercard-allow-steering-
            resolve-interchange-fee-case.

            Open Letter to Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter (Mar.
            21, 2024), available at https://cdn.sanity.io/files/d8lrla4f/
            staging/23fa7c81de31d2c97
            e58b81285af85f719b5721f.pdf.

            Kathleen Murphy, Meador joins Heritage, FTCWatch, Jan. 29, 2024
            (digital copy provided).

            Chris May, Comment: Major League Baseball scores postponed
            reckoning over U.S. Federal antitrust exemption with
            settlements, MLEX, Nov. 7, 2023, https://www.mlex.com/mlex/
            articles/2000158/comment-major-league-baseball-scores-
            postponed-reckoning-over-us-federal-antitrust-exemption-with-
            settlements.

            Marcia Brown, The Next Generation of Law Students Is Obsessed
            With Lina Khan, Politico Magazine, Nov. 6, 2023, https://
            www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/11/06/law-students-
            antitrust-lina-khan-00124240.

            Anna Langlois, Congressional committees float proposals to curb
            DOJ funding, Global Competition Review, Aug. 9, 2023, https://
            globalcompetitionreview
            .com/gcr-usa/article/congressional-committees-float-proposals-
            curb-doj-funding.

            Moment of Truth: Will We Revolutionize Antitrust? (ft. Mark
            Meador), American Moment (July 31, 2023), https://
            www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4lGMBf6-ys.

            David Mamone, Mark Meador: the exit interview, Global
            Competition Review, July 3, 2023, https://
            globalcompetitionreview.com/gcr-usa/article/mark-meador-the-
            exit-interview.

            Ben Remaly and David Mamone, Boutique of former Kanter
            colleagues grows with Senate hire, Global Competition Review,
            July 3, 2023, https://global
            competitionreview.com/gcr-usa/article/boutique-of-former-
            kanter-colleagues-grows-senate-hire.

            Our Curious Amalgam: #215 What Does Antitrust Counsel to a
            United States Senator Do? A Conversation With Mark Meador,
            American Bar Association (Apr. 23, 2023), https://
            ourcuriousamalgam.com/episode/215-mark-meador/.

        20. List all digital platforms (including social media and other
    digital content sites) on which you currently or have formerly operated
    an account, regardless of whether or not the account was held in your
    name or an alias. Include the full name of an ``alias'' or ``handle'',
    including the complete URL and username with hyperlinks, you have used
    on each of the named platforms. Indicate whether the account is active,
    deleted, or dormant. Include a link to each account if possible.

            LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markrmeador/ (active)

            X: @mrmeador (active)

            Instagram: @mrmeador (deactivated)

            Facebook: Mark Meador (deleted)

            Substack: @mrmeador (active, reading only)

            QRZ.com: K3ATR, https://www.qrz.com/db/k3atr (active)

            Clubhouse: @mrmeador (dormant)

            TruthSocial: @mrmeador (dormant)

            GETTR: @mrmeador (dormant)

            SSRN: Mark R. Meador, https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/cf_dev/
            AbsByAuth.cfm?
            per_id=1658093 (active)

        21. Please identify each instance in which you have testified
    orally or in writing before Congress in a governmental or non-
    governmental capacity and specify the date, committee, and subject
    matter of each testimony. None.
        22. Given the current mission, major programs, and major
    operational objectives of the department/agency/commission/corporation
    to which you have been nominated, what in your background or employment
    experience do you believe affirmatively qualifies you for appointment
    to the position for which you have been nominated, and why do you wish
    to serve in that position?
        The Federal Trade Commission bears the incredibly important
    responsibility to ensure fairness in American markets by preventing
    anticompetitive conduct and mergers and unfair and deceptive practices.
    I have dedicated my career to the pursuit of these same goals and
    believe they are fundamental to ushering in the President's vision for
    America's golden age.
        To start, my antitrust experience spans over many vantage points
    and includes advising at the highest levels. I began my career as a
    staff attorney in the Health Care Division of the Bureau of Competition
    at the FTC, where I spearheaded investigations into complex health care
    markets. I have also served as a staff attorney at the Antitrust
    Division of the United States Department of Justice, where I played a
    leading role in efforts to protect consumers and competition in the
    transportation, technology, and fintech industries.
        I leveraged these experiences as antitrust counsel in the United
    States Senate for Senator Mike Lee, where I assisted in drafting and
    reviewing antitrust legislation. I also advised on oversight of Federal
    antitrust enforcers, working to ensure that the agencies promoted
    consumer welfare and adhered to their stated mission as defined by
    Congress.
        I have spent several years practicing antitrust law in private
    practice, both at a large defense-oriented firm and at my own small
    firm specializing in offense-oriented antitrust. I have appeared before
    FTC and DOJ both to defend parties under investigation and to solicit
    investigations on behalf of victims. These experiences have given me
    insight into the challenges faced by both antitrust defendants and
    private plaintiffs, something that I believe is essential to making
    sound judgments as an antitrust enforcer.
        Outside of my legal practice, I have also been a strong advocate
    for protecting children online. Alongside the FTC's critical work to
    prevent fraud, scams, and other predatory conduct against consumers,
    protecting our children from the dangers posed by various social media
    platforms is one of the agency's highest callings. As a father of six,
    I take this responsibility seriously and understand the challenges that
    parents face in striking the right balance for the role of technology
    in their kids' lives.
        I care deeply about the FTC's mission, as well as for the rule of
    law. My experiences have made me sensitive to the effects that legal
    and regulatory policies have on stakeholders, consumers, and most
    importantly American families. What's more, I have the proven ability
    to find the balance between Federal governance, private companies, and
    consumers in promoting a healthy and sustainable marketplace. If
    confirmed, I look forward to using my diverse experiences as an
    antitrust lawyer and parent to ensure that the FTC Act is, to borrow
    the words of President Trump, ``enforced both vigorously and fairly,
    with clear rules that facilitate, rather than stifle, the ingenuity of
    our greatest companies.''
        23. What do you believe are your responsibilities, if confirmed, to
    ensure that the department/agency/commission/corporation has proper
    management and accounting controls, and what experience do you have in
    managing a large organization?
        Prudent stewardship of taxpayer resources is one of the most
    important responsibilities of the executive branch. If confirmed, my
    responsibility will be to work with the Chairman, other Commissioners,
    and FTC staff to ensure that agency resources are used efficiently and
    effectively to fulfill the agency's mission within the bounds of the
    law.
        I have experience managing large teams of attorneys in private
    practice, supervising teams of law clerks on the Senate Antitrust
    Subcommittee, and managing a law firm. I also have six children.
        24. What do you believe to be the top three challenges facing the
    department/agency/commission/corporation, and why?
        The top three challenges facing the FTC are: (1) the growing number
    and complexity of threats to the American family and consumer,
    oversight of which has been hampered by the misallocation of resources
    under the prior administration; (2) a staff that has been demoralized
    by four years of mismanagement; and (3) a lack of trust within the
    business community after four years of repeated leaks of confidential
    information, weaponized and unpredictable agency procedures, and
    politicized enforcement actions.
                       b. potential conflicts of interest
        1. Describe all financial arrangements, deferred compensation
    agreements, and other continuing dealings with business associates,
    clients, or customers. Please include information related to retirement
    accounts, such as a 401(k) or pension plan.
        Upon confirmation, I will resign from Kressin Meador Powers LLC and
    forfeit my interest in any contingency cases. In exchange for
    forfeiting my interest in any contingency cases, the firm will make a
    payment to my capital account, the amount of which will be fixed before
    I enter government service. The firm also will pay into my capital
    account partnership distributions to which I was entitled at the time
    of my departure. This payment will be based solely on the firm's
    earnings through the date of my withdrawal, and the amount of the
    payment will be fixed before I enter government service. The amounts in
    my capital account will be paid to me over a period of six months. The
    firm also will be renamed to remove my name.
        2. Do you have any commitments or agreements, formal or informal,
    to maintain employment, affiliation, or practice with any business,
    association, or other organization during your appointment? If so,
    please explain. No.
        3. Indicate any investments, obligations, liabilities, or other
    relationships which could involve potential conflicts of interest in
    the position to which you have been nominated. Explain how you will
    resolve each potential conflict of interest.
        In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with
    the U.S. Office of Government Ethics and the Federal Trade Commission's
    Designated Agency Ethics Official to identify potential conflicts of
    interest. If confirmed, any potential conflicts of interest will be
    resolved in accordance with the terms of the ethics agreement that I
    have entered into with the Commission's Designated Agency Ethics
    Official.
        4. Describe any business relationship, dealing, or financial
    transaction which you have had during the last ten years, whether for
    yourself, on behalf of a client, or acting as an agent, that could in
    any way constitute or result in a possible conflict of interest in the
    position to which you have been nominated. Explain how you will resolve
    each potential conflict of interest.
        In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with
    the U.S. Office of Government Ethics and the Federal Trade Commission's
    Designated Agency Ethics Official to identify potential conflicts of
    interest. If confirmed, any potential conflicts of interest will be
    resolved in accordance with the terms of the ethics agreement that I
    have entered into with the Commission's Designated Agency Ethics
    Official.
        5. Identify any other potential conflicts of interest and explain
    how you will resolve each potential conflict of interest.
        I am not aware of any other potential conflicts of interest.
        6. Describe any activity during the past ten years, including the
    names of clients represented, in which you have been engaged for the
    purpose of directly or indirectly influencing the passage, defeat, or
    modification of any legislation or affecting the administration and
    execution of law or public policy.
        During my time as a detailee to and employee of the Senate, my
    responsibilities included working on the drafting, negotiating, and
    passage of legislation, as well as oversight of the FTC and DOJ
    Antitrust Division.
        In private practice, especially in my current role, I have
    frequently been retained by persons harmed by violations of the
    antitrust laws. Those engagements typically entail meeting with Federal
    and/or state antitrust enforcers to share concerns and seek an
    investigation and/or enforcement action (i.e., ``influence . . . the
    administration and execution of law''). Victims in antitrust cases are
    extremely vulnerable to retaliation, and therefore my representation of
    those parties is highly confidential in addition to being protected by
    the attorney-client privilege. The Rules of Professional Conduct for
    the District of Columbia Bar prevent me from disclosing the identity of
    those clients.
        The National Grocers Association retained me to provide antitrust
    counseling and legal advice on a number of matters. This included
    guidance on model legislation to protect competition in the grocery
    sector.
                                c. legal matters
        1. Have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics,
    professional misconduct, or retaliation by, or been the subject of a
    complaint to, any court, administrative agency, the Office of Special
    Counsel, an Inspector General, professional association, disciplinary
    committee, or other professional group? If yes:

      a.  Provide the name of the court, agency, association, committee, or
            group;

      b.  Provide the date the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or
            personnel action was issued or initiated;

      c.  Describe the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or
            personnel action;

      d.  Provide the results of the citation, disciplinary action,
            complaint, or personnel action.

        No.
        2. Have you ever been investigated, arrested, charged, or held by
    any Federal, State, or other law enforcement authority of any Federal,
    State, county, municipal, or foreign government entity, other than for
    a minor traffic offense? If so, please explain. No.
        3. Have you or any business or nonprofit of which you are or were
    an officer ever been involved as a party in an administrative agency
    proceeding, criminal proceeding, or civil litigation? If so, please
    explain.
        In 2007, a roommate and I were plaintiffs in a lawsuit against our
    former landlord, in which we alleged that he had comingled funds in
    violation of Chicago city ordinances. The matter settled shortly after
    the suit was filed. The case number was 2007-MI-179986, in the Circuit
    Court of Cook County, Municipal Department, First District.
        4. Have you ever been convicted (including pleas of guilty or nolo
    contendere) of any criminal violation other than a minor traffic
    offense? If so, please explain. No.
        5. Have you ever been accused, formally or informally, of sexual
    assault, sexual harassment, or discrimination on the basis of sex,
    race, religion, or any other basis? If so, please explain.
        In 2018, while at Paul, Weiss, I was the senior associate
    overseeing a second request response for a client. My duties included
    managing a significant number of junior associates. One junior
    associate, a male, consistently turned in work that was late and of
    poor quality. After a short period, I removed him from the matter, over
    his strenuous objections. In retaliation, he made baseless allegations
    in a written ``upward review'' that I had engaged in favoritism toward
    male associates while managing the matter. I was shocked to see this,
    as nearly all of the associates to whom I entrusted the most important
    tasks and from whom I received the best work product were women. After
    reading the allegations, I shared them with two of the female
    associates I oversaw, and they both confirmed that there was absolutely
    no merit to the claims. The concern was never raised to me by anyone
    else at the firm, and the male associate parted ways with the firm
    shortly after his next performance review.
        6. Please advise the Committee of any additional information,
    favorable or unfavorable, which you feel should be disclosed in
    connection with your nomination. None.
                         d. relationship with committee
        1. Will you ensure that your department/agency/commission/
    corporation complies with deadlines for information set by
    congressional committees, and that your department/agency/commission/
    corporation endeavors to timely comply with requests for information
    from individual Members of Congress, including requests from members in
    the minority?
        If confirmed, I will work diligently with my fellow commissioners
    to ensure compliance with deadlines and requests for information.
        2. Will you ensure that your department/agency/commission/
    corporation does whatever it can to protect congressional witnesses and
    whistleblowers from reprisal for their testimony and disclosures? Yes.
        3. Will you cooperate in providing the Committee with requested
    witnesses, including technical experts and career employees, with
    firsthand knowledge of matters of interest to the Committee? Yes.
        4. Are you willing to appear and testify before any duly
    constituted committee of the Congress on such occasions as you may be
    reasonably requested to do so? Yes.
                                     ______

                                  Attachment A
    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

        The Chairman. Thank you to you both. Your backgrounds are
    remarkable. Mr. Kratsios, let's start with you. Mr. Kratsios,
    during the first Trump Administration, you served as the U.S.
    Chief Technology Officer and as the third highest ranking
    official at the U.S. Department of Defense.
        Mr. Meador, you bring extraordinary experience not only
    from your time at the FTC, but also from your tenure at the
    Department of Justice in the Antitrust Division, and your work
    in the Senate as a recidivist, twice going to work for Mike
    Lee.
        Mr. Kratsios, please tell the Committee why do you want to
    be the Director of the Office of Science Technology Policy?
        Mr. Kratsios. I deeply believe that it is critically
    important for our Nation to lead the world in emerging
    technologies. These are technologies like AI, like quantum,
    like advanced telecommunications that will power our economy--
    ensure a long term national security.
        And if there is one agency within the Government that can
    help in this mission is OSTP. It is an organization that was
    established to coordinate all the disparate science and
    technology equities across the Government. I am familiar with
    how the agency operates, and I believe that I can do a very
    great job in driving these initiatives across Government.
        The Chairman. Now, as Chief Technology Officer during the
    first Trump Administration, you played a key role in freeing up
    a significant amount of Federal spectrum for 5G through the
    AMBIT process. Do you expect that this Administration will
    again push for freeing up spectrum for commercial use?
        Mr. Kratsios. I think it is critically important to always
    be looking at ways that we can better utilize the spectrum that
    is currently being occupied by various Government agencies. And
    the process that we are able to show in the AMBIT process is
    that if you bring the right technologies to bear on these
    problems, we can find a way that can benefit both the national
    security interest of the United States and the commercial
    interest.
        So I think it is very possible to be done, and I think we
    just have to bring to bear the great science and technologies
    at OSTP to help solve the critical technical problems or
    technical challenges associated with freeing up some of the
    spectrum.
        The Chairman. And given your experience as a senior leader
    at the Defense Department, would you agree that it is
    technologically possible to free up spectrum without
    compromising national security?
        Mr. Kratsios. I think it is proven that it can be done. It
    has been done before. And I think if we get the right minds
    together in a room, I think these are the types of problems
    that we can solve collectively.
        The Chairman. Terrific. Mr. Meador, during the nomination
    hearing for Commissioners Ferguson and Holyoak, I noted the
    challenges posed by evolving markets and emerging technologies.
    I have long thought the actions of big tech and our reliance on
    such companies may raise both consumer protection and antitrust
    concerns.
        I was very pleased to see Chairman Ferguson issue a request
    for information last week seeking public comment regarding
    technology platforms' censorship. He highlighted that current
    actions by tech platforms may violate their own terms of
    service, in violation of Section 5 of the FTC Act.
        Mr. Meador, how should the FTC address the challenges posed
    by emerging technologies and big tech?
        Mr. Meador. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I believe the FTC has
    taken the first step, which is to collect all of the facts.
    Before we can make any enforcement decision, we need to know
    the marketplace reality.
        And so, reaching out to consumers to hear about their
    experiences is the very first thing we need to do. After that,
    it is a matter of looking at the facts under the law to see
    whether there has been, in the case of a consumer protection
    matter, some act of unfair practice or a deception of
    consumers.
        And so I am confident that with this first step of
    collecting information, the FTC is off to the right start. And
    if I am fortunate enough to be confirmed, I look forward to
    working with Chairman Ferguson and the other Commissioners to
    look at this issue very closely.
        The Chairman. Would you agree that the FTC has ample tools
    to address the challenge of big tech censorship? And I have
    long said that I think big tech censorship poses the single
    greatest threat to free speech and free and fair elections in
    this country. Do you agree with that assessment?
        Mr. Meador. I do, Chairman. I believe that the FTC has a
    lot of tools at its disposal currently, and the first thing
    that it can do is to undertake an examination of the market
    through that lens, to see what tools we have available to
    address the harms that we identify in the marketplace.
        Should we encounter some harm that can't be solved with the
    tools that FTC has today, I would be happy to work with your
    office and other members of the Committee to discuss what the
    path forward might be for additional tools to solve that
    problem.
        The Chairman. Mr. Kratsios, at OSTP you played a pivotal
    role in advancing the United States's AI strategy, and you
    helped establish many of the tenets put in place under the 2020
    National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act. But some of
    those tenets were abused by the Biden Administration.
        The first Trump Administration's AI initiative emphasized
    NIST's role in developing basic measurement standards for AI.
    Under President Biden, misused authorities granted by the AI
    Initiative Act to develop standards for evaluating supposed AI
    ``risks,'' and I put that in quote, such as bias and
    misinformation, testing standards became a Trojan horse for
    progressive social policies.
        In January 2025, President Trump issued a new AI Executive
    Order in which he directed OSTP to develop an AI action plan.
    The President knows the United States must avoid the European
    model of premature regulations, something Vice President J.D.
    Vance also emphasized in his speech at the Paris AI Summit the
    other week.
        How did the previous Administration deviate from the AI
    strategy that you put in place, and how do you anticipate that
    the Trump Administration will build on your past work to ensure
    American leadership and dominance in AI?
        Mr. Kratsios. I look forward to, if confirmed, working on
    the AI action plan with other members of the White House and
    interagency.
        The most important thing when you--to me, when you think
    about applying an AI strategy across the agencies, is to think
    very carefully and critically about what the individual
    missions of the various agencies are and align the policy
    actions associated with the strategy to the mission.
        With regards to NIST, for example, NIST has a long
    bipartisan history of being an agency that does measurement
    science, and the work associated with any AI initiative should
    be in the light of that--it should be focused on measurement
    science.
        So to me, I look forward to working with a wide variety of
    agencies that would be involved in driving this AI action plan,
    but most critically and I think through the lens that I would
    be looking through all this through is understanding what the
    strengths are of individual agencies and making sure that how
    they contribute to the larger strategy aligns with that, rather
    than deviating from it.
        The Chairman. Thank you. Senator Blunt Rochester.

                STATEMENT OF HON. LISA BLUNT ROCHESTER,
                       U.S. SENATOR FROM DELAWARE

        Senator Blunt Rochester. Thank you, Chair Cruz and Ranking
    Member Cantwell. And thank you both to Mr. Meador and Mr.
    Kratsios for being here. I would like to start with a few
    questions for Mr. Meador.
        I appreciated our meeting yesterday, and we discussed
    protecting consumers is at the heart of the Federal Trade
    Commission's work. I shared with you in our meeting that I have
    received an overwhelming outreach from my constituents from
    calls and e-mails.
        We had a town hall yesterday with over a thousand folks,
    and many of them are concerned and some are just afraid that
    Elon Musk and DOGE are accessing their personal data, from
    their Social Security numbers to tax records. Not only are they
    concerned about people accessing this but what they will use it
    for.
        As a consumer protection enforcer, what responsibility do
    you think the FTC has to monitor DOGE with regards to sensitive
    and private consumer data?
        Mr. Meador. Thank you, Senator. I enjoyed our conversation
    as well. It is good to be with you again. So as I mentioned at
    the time, there are laws the FTC enforces, and there are also
    laws to which the FTC is subject. And in the latter category is
    included confidentiality protection.
        So, when I was staff attorney practicing antitrust law, we
    would collect information from third parties as part of the
    investigation, and we were required to keep that confidential.
    And that is very important, so that businesses can trust that
    when they come to the FTC and share information as a witness to
    help our investigations, that it won't be leaked. Those cover
    the other side of the FTC as well and consumer protection
    matters.
        And so, the agency has an obligation to keep all of the
    confidential information that it collects private and within
    the agency. I can't speak to what the internal plans or
    practices are for DOGE, but I can commit that if confirmed to
    this position, I would ensure the FTC is following the laws
    that it enforces as well as the laws that restrict it.
        Senator Blunt Rochester. Thank you. Yesterday, we also
    discussed our shared concern over pharmacy benefit managers or
    PBMs. As we discussed, PBMs contribute to inflated drug costs
    for Americans and play an outside role in the drug supply chain
    at the expense of consumers.
        In the House, I was able to co-lead a bipartisan effort to
    rein in PBMs and want to continue to do that in the Senate.
    Will you commit to supporting continued work at the FTC to
    investigate PBMs and take necessary enforcement actions?
        Mr. Meador. Thank you. I was fortunate to begin my career
    at FTC in the health care division. And so, this is an area of
    the economy that I care deeply about and is really one of those
    kitchen table issues that people pay close attention to.
        And if confirmed, yes, I am committed to ensuring we have
    competitive markets in the health care space and using all of
    the agency's tools in furtherance of that mission.
        Senator Blunt Rochester. Thank you. Mr. Kratsios, in your
    2019 confirmation hearing, you said ``workforce development
    must be at the heart of everything we do at the Office of
    Science Technology Policy.'' Do you still believe this?
        Mr. Kratsios. I do, yes.
        Senator Blunt Rochester. So I am laser focused on preparing
    the workforce for jobs of today and the future. I was Secretary
    of Labor in Delaware. I started a bipartisan future work caucus
    in the House. And especially when we look at things like
    biotech and AI and quantum, as Director of OSTP, would you
    prioritize strategies to increase our emerging tech workforce?
    And if so, how?
        Mr. Kratsios. Absolutely. Whenever I think about how you
    structure a national strategy around emerging tech, it
    typically falls on four pillars. One is R&D. One is on
    regulations. One is on international.
        And the fourth pillar is always workforce. And within the
    Federal Government, there is lots of levers that you can use to
    drive those efforts. It can be through grants and fellowships
    to researchers.
        And it can also be through lots of other programs to allow
    for training and reskilling. So I am a big advocate and would
    be delighted to work with you on those issues.
        Senator Blunt Rochester. Great. Much of the work is outside
    of Government, but I am concerned about the mass firings of
    scientists and engineers at NIH and NIST. Do they--does that
    concern you? And do you think that the hollowing out of the
    Federal Government for this technical talent risks losing
    ground to economic competitors like China?
        Mr. Kratsios. I think it is very important when you enter
    into a new Administration to have the opportunity to assess the
    team that you have on the field and determine what is the best
    way to be able to drive the priorities of the American people
    and the President. And I think it is very natural and common
    sense and logical to do that evaluation.
        And what I have observed from the outside is that these
    considerations of employment are ones that do not--are not
    specifically targeted to science and technology but are broad
    across all the agencies. So I think it is an important and
    necessary step to take when you start a new Administration.
        Senator Blunt Rochester. My time has expired, but I will
    submit some questions for the record, Mr. Chair. And one of
    which is I wanted to know if you believe there is bias in AI or
    has been bias in AI. Thank you, and I yield back.
        The Chairman. Thank you. Senator Fischer.

                    STATEMENT OF HON. DEB FISCHER,
                       U.S. SENATOR FROM NEBRASKA

        Senator Fischer. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you to
    both of our nominees here today. I enjoyed meeting with both of
    you before this hearing, so thank you for coming into my office
    and having a good discussion. Mr. Kratsios, I welcome your
    enthusiasm for advancing American leadership on emerging
    technologies.
        As you know, OSTP is responsible for coordinating science
    and tech policy among Federal agencies. When you were the
    United States Chief Technology Officer, one of your focuses was
    advancing DOD's unique testing authorities to drive innovation.
        And at the time, you stated that the Department of Defense
    is at the forefront of cutting edge 5G testing and
    experimentation. Do you still believe that?
        Mr. Kratsios. I do, yes.
        Senator Fischer. And when it comes to 5G and other spectrum
    matters, do you believe that DOD testing should be faithfully
    integrated into a national spectrum policy?
        Mr. Kratsios. Yes, DOD is a critical component of the
    spectrum strategy.
        Senator Fischer. If you are confirmed to be Director of
    OSTP, your role will still be influential on national spectrum
    policy, even though it may be smaller compared to other
    agencies. Previously, I understood you were involved with
    America's Mid-Band Initiative Team, known as AMBIT, and you
    brought that up a couple times yesterday in our discussion.
        And so, I looked into it a little bit more to familiarize
    myself with it. And that was an auction off mid-band spectrum
    held by DOD, and it was to make those licenses available to
    wireless companies. Is that correct?
        Mr. Kratsios. Yes.
        Senator Fischer. Did AMBIT auction, did that cause more
    congestion for defense systems operating in that lower 3 band?
        Mr. Kratsios. In my opinion, I think AMBIT provided an
    opportunity for a technical analysis of that spectrum range and
    find a way to be able to still complete the security mission by
    moving some of the workloads that were in the auction band to
    lower bands.
        Senator Fischer. So they had to compress that band even
    more then, in order to accommodate that into the lower 3? Is
    that correct?
        Mr. Kratsios. Yes. So some of the activities that were in
    the band that ultimately were auctioned were moved down to
    lower bands.
        Senator Fischer. Are you familiar--oh, first of all, I
    understand that AMBIT struggled on the back end with major
    relocation costs from the defense systems that were de-placed
    in that process of compressing them. Is that correct?
        Mr. Kratsios. I don't--I haven't tracked the details of
    that since I left office, but there is always transition costs
    associated with freeing up bands typically.
        Senator Fischer. Are you familiar with any of the costs?
    Are those readily available to be--so we can access those? Do
    you know how that cut into the net revenue that was expected
    from the auction?
        Mr. Kratsios. I am not familiar with those details but I
    can try to see what is publicly available.
        Senator Fischer. That would be great. Mr. Meador, over the
    years, the Federal Trade Commission has faced off in court
    against the deepening pockets of major corporations, especially
    when it comes to big tech. If confirmed, how would you
    prioritize litigation and effectively use agency resources in
    upholding the FTC's mission?
        Mr. Meador. That is a very important topic. I will say the
    FTC staff have gotten very good at doing a lot with often much
    less.
        If confirmed, my first step will be to consult with the
    Chairman, the Commissioners, and of course, the staff to
    understand what challenges they are facing--what do we have on
    our docket and what resources do we have available.
        And then, work collaboratively with all of them to
    determine which cases are the highest priority to protect the
    largest number of consumers from the greatest threats.
        Senator Fischer. It is my understanding that at times there
    can be tension with that enforcement coordination with the
    Department of Justice. Do you have any comments on that, or if
    that would occur, what would you do?
        Mr. Meador. Sure. Yes, this is something that has happened
    frequently in the past. Some of it has unfortunately been very
    public.
        I am confident that President Trump has selected leaders
    for this Administration who can work very well together. I
    think is of paramount importance that both agencies be singing
    from the same hymn sheet and be aligned on policy and
    enforcement decisions. And there should really be no daylight
    between them when it comes to how they are enforcing the
    antitrust laws.
        I think anything is possible if you don't care who gets the
    credit. And so, when it comes to merger clearance, we should be
    focusing on protecting consumers as fast as possible, not
    trying to get one up on the other agency.
        Senator Fischer. Thank you both for putting yourselves
    forward to serve in these very dangerous times that we live in.
    I really appreciate it and thank you to your families as well.
    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        The Chairman. Thank you. Senator Baldwin.

                   STATEMENT OF HON. TAMMY BALDWIN,
                      U.S. SENATOR FROM WISCONSIN

        Senator Baldwin. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The bipartisan
    CHIPS and Science Act authorized one of the largest investments
    in our Nation's history into public research and development.
    These investments will help ensure the United States remains a
    global leader in innovation for critical and emerging
    technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum
    computing.
        Unfortunately, it has been reported that the Trump
    Administration is considering reducing the National Science
    Foundation, their annual budget, by up to 66 percent, and I
    believe this would be a disastrous step backward in the
    international race to invest in and develop these technologies.
        So Mr. Kratsios, do you support the bipartisan investments
    that have been made under the CHIPS and Science Act?
        Mr. Kratsios. I generally have for many years supported the
    important role that federally funded, early stage, basic pre-
    competitive research plays in the ecosystem. And----
        Senator Baldwin. so, is that a yes, as far as the CHIPS and
    Science Act?
        Mr. Kratsios. I think components of the CHIPS and Science
    Act are extremely important for ensuring U.S. leadership in
    semiconductors and the broader AI ecosystem.
        Senator Baldwin. OK. Do you think it would be wise to
    reduce the budget of the National Science Foundation and cut
    back on these critical investments in research and development?
        Mr. Kratsios. I can't speak necessarily the top line of the
    National Science Foundation budget----
        Senator Baldwin. About 66 percent is what we have heard
    floated.
        Mr. Kratsios. So I will defer to the President and OMB as
    they decide those top lines. But to me, I think what is
    important is in some sense the absolute number, but more
    importantly, how the dollars that actually are budgeted and
    ultimately appropriated are spent in prioritizing them in areas
    of the national interest.
        When I served as the USCTO in the last Administration even
    in constrained budget environments, we spent a lot of time
    trying to ensure that we were prioritizing investments in the
    areas that were most critical for the future of American
    prosperity.
        Senator Baldwin. But you wouldn't rule out a 66 percent cut
    in NSF funding?
        Mr. Kratsios. I would defer again to the process that the
    President and OMB are going to lead.
        Senator Baldwin. Thank you. We know that in order to remain
    a global leader, we need our best and our brightest, regardless
    of their gender, their race, their ethnicity, their sexual
    orientation, to be on the front lines in these research
    careers.
        That is why the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act requires
    OSTP to develop and publicize guidance to Federal laboratories
    and universities on best practices to help identify any
    institutional barriers that limit the recruitment, retention,
    and advancement of women and underrepresented minorities in
    STEM research careers.
        So, Mr. Kratsios, do you believe President Trump's
    Executive Order ending DEI programs contradicts this bipartisan
    law? And do you commit to executing this OSTP directive in the
    law, even if you are directed by President Trump not to?
        Mr. Kratsios. I do not believe that the DEI Executive Order
    is in conflict with the law. I have for many years and will
    continue to advocate for all Americans to be able to pursue
    STEM degrees. In my opinion, there are not enough Americans
    pursuing advanced degrees in STEM, and it would be my priority,
    if I was to be confirmed, to try to get as many Americans as
    possible to go back into STEM fields.
        Senator Baldwin. Thank you. Mr. Meador, I really appreciate
    your taking the time last week to stop by to discuss some of
    the critical issues that are before the Federal Trade
    Commission.
        In our meeting, we discussed our shared concerns around the
    market consolidation in the health care industry. I appreciated
    hearing from you about your perspectives on private equities'
    acquisition of hospitals, physician groups, and nursing homes.
        Can you share with the Committee what role you believe the
    Federal Trade Commission has in the interest of health care
    quality and costs?
        Mr. Meador. Thank you for raising that topic. The FTC plays
    a critical role in its antitrust enforcement duties to ensure
    that our markets remain competitive. That includes both
    preventing anticompetitive conduct, but also policing mergers
    to ensure there is not undue consolidation with any--within any
    individual market.
        There, it is important to look at the competitive effects
    of a merger, regardless of who is purchasing it, to ensure that
    in the aftermath we are going to have a competitive status quo.
    That competition will be maintained so that all health care
    providers feel that need to continue to provide better quality
    services to patients.
        Senator Baldwin. Thank you. So I only have 20 seconds left.
    Mr. Kratsios, you may answer this either here or for the
    record. You come to this role with significant prior experience
    with artificial intelligence. With respect to healthcare, I
    want to know what role you believe AI has in our healthcare
    systems, and what, if any, guardrails you think should be in
    place?
        Mr. Kratsios. I think one of the greatest and most
    impactful applications of artificial intelligence will be in
    the world of health care, from drug discovery to the way that
    we operate our health care institutions. So there is a
    tremendous opportunity, both at places like HHS and in the
    private sector to make an impact.
        The Chairman. Thank you. Senator Curtis.

                    STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN CURTIS,
                         U.S. SENATOR FROM UTAH

        Senator Curtis. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Meador, in the
    waning days of the Biden Administration, the FTC noticed two
    proposed rulemakings regarding earnings claims. These rules
    unfairly targeted the direct selling industry, which is a large
    industry in Utah. It represents 38,000 jobs, $2.7 billion of
    statewide earnings.
        But more important, an industry that I know from firsthand
    observation works diligently to obey all the laws, to stay
    within all the parameters, and yet frequently finds themselves
    attacked by bureaucrats. So my question for you is, can you
    commit to voting against implementing the two proposed rules?
        Mr. Meador. Thank you, Senator. Well, I can't commit to any
    specific vote, should I be confirmed, but I can tell you that
    if I am confirmed, I will work with staff to get up to speed on
    that issue and approach it with an open mind.
        Senator Curtis. Good. And I appreciate and understand that,
    so I am going to rephrase what you said with a little more
    emphasis and see if you could say yes to this. Can you commit
    to giving full and fair consideration to their concerns of the
    direct selling industry, and what they have about these two
    proposed rulings?
        Mr. Meador. Absolutely.
        Senator Curtis. Great. Thank you very much. I appreciate
    that. And it is very important to these companies to get it
    right and to be able to also just to have that audience to be
    able to explain their perspective. Thank you.
        Mr. Kratsios--if I pronounce that wrong, you are probably
    used to that. I am sorry. Thank you for coming by my office.
    The Director of Office of Science and Technology Policy will
    have a seat on the President Trump's National Energy Dominance
    Council. We talked about that.
        What do you see as his role on this council, and how will
    you leverage that role to push forward new energy technologies?
        Mr. Kratsios. I think on that council, one of our primary
    missions, I guess first and foremost, is to provide important
    technological and scientific advice to the rest of the council
    members.
        I think what OSTP can also advocate for are new and
    emerging ways--new and emerging technologies that can be used
    in energy--achieving energy dominance. Things like small
    modular reactors. And it is something that I look forward to,
    if confirmed, building out a team to help support.
        Senator Curtis. Excellent. And I would love you to come see
    in person Utah's innovation in this field, and I think they are
    doing some amazing things. If you get a chance, come see us in
    Utah.
        Mr. Kratsios. Thank you. I would love to.
        Senator Curtis. Yes. The second question, when we met we
    talked about, your interest is this intersection between
    national security and technology. Unsurprisingly, our greatest
    rival is China.
        What would be the national security implications of China
    leading in emerging technologies, and how would you advise the
    President on the best policy approach to ensure the U.S.
    leadership in these technologies?
        Mr. Kratsios. I think first and foremost we have to make a
    priority to drive U.S. leadership in these critical fields,
    which I think the President has done.
        The next step is actually being able to execute and bring
    to bear the totality of the American innovation ecosystem,
    which is the Federal Government, the private sector, and
    academia working together to develop and--these new
    technologies, both sort of from discovery all the way to
    fielding them.
        I think one area that is also very important is taking
    technologies that have proven very successful and sort of
    represent American dominance in the field--take, for example,
    large language models--and actually making the step to apply
    those to the critical national security missions that we have
    at the DOD and in the IC.
        It would be a shame if we are able to lead in these
    technologies, but we are not actually fielding them in support
    of the warfighter. So I think there is a lot of work to be done
    both in maintaining our leadership and things like AI, but also
    fielding those technologies in Government itself as well.
        Senator Curtis. I appreciate that. Appreciate both of your
    answers. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield.
        The Chairman. Thank you. Senator Lujan.

                   STATEMENT OF HON. BEN RAY LUJAN,
                      U.S. SENATOR FROM NEW MEXICO

        Senator Lujan. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you both
    for being here today. Mr. Meador, when we met in my office, we
    discussed the importance of an independent FTC. Unfortunately,
    the current Administration is undermining that independence by
    refusing to defend the Supreme Court's 90-year-old decision in
    Humphrey's Executor.
        In that decision, the Supreme Court held that FTC
    Commissioners and members of other bipartisan, independent
    agencies can only be fired for a cause. My office sent over the
    text of Humphrey's Executor letter to Congress from the Acting
    Solicitor General, stating that the Administration will no
    longer defend the Constitutionality of certain for cause
    removal protections, and a statement from Chair Ferguson that
    he agrees with the Acting Solicitor General's position. Did you
    receive that information?
        Mr. Meador. Thank you, sir. I received it late last night,
    yes.
        Senator Lujan. Did you have a chance to review them?
        Mr. Meador. In brief, I did.
        Senator Lujan. Appreciate that. Do you agree with the
    Solicitor General's position?
        Mr. Meador. So, Senator, thank you for bringing up this
    important topic. I can't weigh in too much on the substance,
    given that it is the subject of ongoing litigation involving
    the FTC, but I think I can share some additional thoughts. I
    agree with some of the scholarship of Justice Elena Kagan on
    this.
        She has written about Presidential Administration and made
    the observation that direct Presidential control of Federal
    agencies increases democratic accountability. I believe on
    November 5, the American people give a very clear signal that
    they want greater accountability in how the Federal Government
    is administered, and that is what led to the election of
    President Trump.
        And I can commit that, if confirmed to this position, that
    I will work to serve the American people and will do so by
    advancing the agenda of the President that they elect.
        Senator Lujan. Mr. Meador, can you repeat again why you
    can't answer that question?
        Mr. Meador. The underlying legal question, Senator, is
    subject to ongoing litigation in which the FTC is involved. And
    so, it wouldn't be appropriate for me to weigh in on that.
        Senator Lujan. Appreciate that. So is it appropriate for
    Mr. Ferguson to weigh in?
        Mr. Meador. I would defer to Chairman Ferguson on that.
        Senator Lujan. But you believe that you should not because
    it is currently before the courts?
        Mr. Meador. I believe----
        Senator Lujan. And you stand strong behind that?
        Mr. Meador. It is inappropriate for me as a nominee to
    weigh in on pending litigation----
        Senator Lujan. If you were an FTC Commissioner, would it be
    appropriate for you to weigh in?
        Mr. Meador. I would have to consult with the Office of
    General Counsel. I expect they would likely reach a similar
    conclusion, but I haven't asked them that question from the
    standpoint of a confirmed Commissioner.
        Senator Lujan. Mr. Chairman, you are a legal scholar. I am
    not. I am a lay person. I think that that answers the question
    resoundingly, and I very much appreciate that clarification.
    Mr. Meador, if you are confirmed and the Supreme Court
    overturns Humphrey's Executor, how are you going to maintain
    your independence?
        Mr. Meador. Senator, I view this question as having the
    same answer, regardless of how the legal proceedings play out.
    My understanding is that the President has nominated me to
    serve the American people. And regardless of how the court
    decides these matters, I will show up each day to serve the
    American people by working to enforce the law fully and fairly.
        Senator Lujan. Do you believe the FTC should be
    independent?
        Mr. Meador. Senator, I will defer to the courts, and
    Congress, and the President on the resolution of that matter. I
    view my job as a narrowly focused one on enforcing the law to
    the best of my ability.
        Senator Lujan. And it speaks for itself. The previous
    Administration, the FTC with their work, with their mission
    with PBM--I think that there was a question asked by Lisa Blunt
    Rochester in this space. Will you commit to continuing the
    important work of holding PBMs accountable with their
    practices?
        Mr. Meador. Thank you. Yes, as I mentioned for Senator
    Blunt Rochester, this is a very important topic, and I am glad
    to see the interest in it among the Committee members. If
    confirmed, I can absolutely commit to ensuring we are enforcing
    the competition laws across the entire health care space.
        Senator Lujan. Last Congress, I pressed Merck CEO to ensure
    that they wouldn't play patent games when the primary patent
    for their cancer drug, KEYTRUDA, comes up.
        He agreed that they wouldn't for the intravenous version of
    the drug, but soon after it came out the subcutaneous version
    of the drug, which you may be aware is between the skin and the
    muscle--so it tries to get below all the skin, but right above
    the muscle. A blatant example of the games companies play
    called ``product hopping''.
        What will you do at the FTC to address these uncompetitive
    practices?
        Mr. Meador. Thank you. This was a topic I had the--well, I
    wouldn't say the fortune since we don't like to see anti-
    competitive conduct, but I had the experience of working on
    these matters as an attorney in the health care division.
        And if confirmed, I will be working with that staff and the
    other Commissioners very closely to ensure that we are
    enforcing the law to its fullest extent.
        Senator Lujan. Mr. Kratsios, yes or no, do you believe the
    national labs are critical to our Nation's scientific research
    and technological advancement, including supporting our
    Nation's energy future and ensuring our national security?
        Mr. Kratsios. I do. I have for many years has been a fierce
    advocate of our DOE lab system.
        Senator Lujan. Do you see a role for the national labs in
    using AI for national security risk assessment?
        Mr. Kratsios. I think the DOE already does that, and I
    think they should continue to do that work.
        Senator Lujan. You previously testified on the importance
    of quantum as a key industry of the future. Do you support the
    reauthorization of the National Quantum Initiative Act to help
    advance American leadership in quantum?
        Mr. Kratsios. I was a big advocate of the initial passage
    of the bill, and I would love to work with this committee again
    to see if we can get it reauthorized.
        Senator Lujan. Appreciate that. Mr. Chairman, just a little
    sidebar there. I remember asking a question about quantum
    computing. It may have been in a SCIF.
        And the individual that was presenting to us at the time
    said that they should not answer the question on quantum
    because it is classified. I then held up a copy of Fortune
    Magazine, which that issue decided to cover quantum. So it is
    just refreshing to be able to have that conversation in this
    committee. I appreciate it, Mr. Chairman.
        The Chairman. Well, and I agree that far too much is
    classified that you can read in the newspaper. I will say also
    to my friend from New Mexico who raised good questions, I do
    not have any of the constraints the nominee has.
        And so, I am happy to answer your question, which is that I
    think Humphrey's Executor was wrongly decided and should be
    overruled. As I read Article II, all Executive power is vested
    in the President of the United States.
        And I would note this is a similar exchange that this
    committee had with Secretary Howard Lutnick, where some members
    of the Committee were surprised that Secretary Lutnick,
    appointed by President Trump, was going to work to implement
    the President's agenda.
        And I would suggest that is not a surprising thing. I would
    expect President Trump's nominees to work to implement his
    agenda, just as President Biden's nominees worked to implement
    his agenda, as did President Obama's and every President we
    have had.
        And the beauty of our Constitutional structure is the
    President is democratically accountable to the people. Senator
    Hickenlooper.

                 STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN HICKENLOOPER,
                       U.S. SENATOR FROM COLORADO

        Senator Hickenlooper. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Gentlemen, I
    appreciate your commitment to working in the public interest.
    Let me start off with Mr. Kratsios. In your role as Director of
    OSTP, you will be responsible for working with various advisory
    bodies, the President's Council on Advisors and Science and
    Technology, PCAST, the National Science and Technology Council.
        Obviously, I am--you know, in Maslow's hierarchy of
    science, a geologist is near the bottom, but I am a scientist,
    have published peer reviewed research, and I think it is
    important that we make sure that science remains impartial,
    objective, and nonpartisan.
        So we need to make sure that our scientific enterprise is
    examined, and reexamined, and continues to be modified to be
    more successful in those essential needs of our country. If you
    are confirmed, how do you commit to, or can you commit to
    ensuring OSTP works with scientific community's voice? That the
    scientific community is fairly represented, and their voice is
    truly uplifted?
        Mr. Kratsios. Yes, I--thank you for bringing that up. I
    think to me, one of the most important goals that I even
    mentioned in my opening statement was to ensure that the team
    that we build at OSTP is representative of a wide variety of
    scientists and technologists that support the important policy
    priorities of the President.
        So in any Administration, OSTP starts with very few people
    on the team, and the next year is spent finding the best
    scientists and technologists from across the interagency to
    bring into the White House to work with the agency. So I commit
    to doing that.
        And I think it is critically important that any policy
    processes around the White House is informed by high quality,
    sound science. And that is something I look forward to bringing
    to bear on, on what we do at the White House.
        Senator Hickenlooper. Great. Well, that is something we
    will support you on as it gets complicated, and as I am sure it
    will. Mr. Meador, a national privacy law would require a great
    amount of oversight to be able to hold businesses accountable.
    Sometimes these are very large businesses with immense
    capability.
        State Attorneys General experience investigative teams that
    cover a range of consumer protection laws. Do you believe it is
    appropriate for State AGs to help the FTC enforce a Federal
    privacy law, especially if that Federal law preempts State
    laws? So why or why not?
        Mr. Meador. Thank you, Senator. I believe that is
    ultimately a decision for Congress to make, at the time that it
    would pass a Federal privacy law to put structures in their
    governing--coordination with State AGs.
        I can say that on the antitrust side of FTC, there has been
    very productive relationships between State AGs and the FTC.
    And so, hopefully, you know, should Congress give the agency
    additional powers in that area, we would see equally productive
    relationships there.
        Senator Hickenlooper. In terms of recognizing the immense
    power of these very large companies and what we have seen with
    social platforms and in many cases the lack of any ability of
    Government to curtail some of the things we recognize are--I
    mean, some of the deepfake pornography, that is one example
    that comes up. How do you think we should be looking at AI on
    that same--within that same context of being able to get the
    market to have some balance?
        Mr. Meador. Yes. That is an incredibly important topic that
    I think is only going to increase in prominence in the coming
    years. I think the first step is to view it through the lens of
    our existing enforcement authorities. So the FTC has the
    ability to police unfair and deceptive practices.
        And we know that AI is already being used to turbocharge
    many of those acts. And so, it would be incumbent upon the FTC
    to keep a close eye on that activity, to make sure we are not
    letting anything slip through the cracks.
        And should we become aware of something that we are not
    able to address with existing authorities, to consult with you
    and other members of the Committee to make sure that that is
    resolved.
        Senator Hickenlooper. Right. And then the last thing we
    talked a little bit in our office about the importance of
    markets being balanced, how sometimes it is Government,
    sometimes it is private industry, but everybody is trying to
    distort markets when it is to their advantage.
        Last week, FTC Chair Ferguson announced the agency will
    maintain the 2023 joint merger guidelines with the DOJ, with
    Department of Justice. And these guidelines--the guidelines
    outline the criteria for the FTC to consider as it looks at
    mergers and acquisitions.
        You know, a lot of these decisions have direct effect on
    the markets themselves. How can the FTC ensure we maintain fair
    competition in markets as we keep a forward looking vision?
        Mr. Meador. That is a great question. I really enjoyed our
    conversation. I thought you made several excellent points about
    the need to balance the prevention of anti-competitive conduct
    with not going too far to burdening markets with too much
    intervention.
        And I think that has to remain at the forefront of every
    enforcement decision that the FTC takes, looking to ensure that
    they are actually improving the lives of consumers when they do
    act, but not going so far as to micromanage the economy in any
    area.
        Senator Hickenlooper. I appreciate that. I yield back to
    the Chair. Thank you.
        The Chairman. Thank you. Senator Young.

                     STATEMENT OF HON. TODD YOUNG,
                       U.S. SENATOR FROM INDIANA

        Senator Young. Thank you, Chairman. Congratulations to our
    nominees. And I am very excited about your service and doing
    some good together. Mr. Kratsios, thanks for taking some time
    to visit with me a number of days ago.
        And in that meeting, we discussed the critical importance
    of emerging technologies to our national security and our
    economic competitiveness. We discussed the CHIPS and Science
    Act. You know that is important to me as the Republican co-lead
    of that effort. I am still focused, as I indicated to you in
    that meeting, on achieving through the CHIPS program office for
    the reshoring and on shoring of our semiconductor manufacturing
    base.
        And you offered me reassurances about those efforts, should
    you be confirmed. I just want to ask you to commit on the
    record to honoring existing CHIPS agreements to ensure
    stability for this growing industry as we work to further
    implement this program?
        Mr. Kratsios. The specific agreements, I will have to defer
    to Secretary Lutnick in Commerce. But what I will certainly
    commit to, if confirmed, is working very closely with the
    Secretary and with a larger interagency on sort of the two
    pronged goal of being able to reshore the critical fabrication
    of high-end semiconductors to the United States. And part two,
    creating the R&D ecosystem necessary to continue to be the
    world leader in the design of these chips.
        Senator Young. Great. And I trust that Secretary Lutnick
    will be following Congressional directives and intent and look
    forward to working with him on those efforts. You played a
    role, Mr. Kratsios, a key role in AI policy in the first Trump
    Administration.
        I would expect in this different capacity, you will
    continue to play an important role. You played a very important
    role in the February 2019 Executive Order on maintaining
    American leadership in AI. If confirmed, do you plan to build
    on this work? And if so, in what way?
        Mr. Kratsios. Absolutely. I think that was the first
    Executive Order ever signed by a President on artificial
    intelligence. That was signed by President Trump in February
    2019.
        I think the core crux of that Executive Order is the
    necessity for a whole of Government approach to achieving
    sustained American leadership in AI. We have to lead the world
    in artificial intelligence R&D.
        We have to lead the world in creating a regulatory
    environment that allows our artificial intelligence companies
    to grow and succeed in the U.S.. We have to create an
    environment where our workforce can actually thrive and take
    advantage of new technology.
        And the last pillar is around international engagement of
    how we can work with like-minded partners to ensure that U.S.
    AI becomes a default AI of the world versus some of our
    adversaries.
        Senator Young. Thank you for that comprehensive answer. You
    know, there is a welcomed and I think important emphasis by
    certain incoming members of the Administration on making sure
    that we don't unduly throttle innovation as it relates to AI
    and that we encourage deployment. Can we better leverage
    public-private partnerships in emerging technologies more
    broadly to ensure that the U.S. remains a leader in innovation?
        Mr. Kratsios. We can, Senator, yes. I think both in the
    world of AI and in quantum, we have seen examples where AI
    centers, both from NSF and DOE, have shown the opportunity
    where the private sector can come in and work with academia and
    Government together to do the important basic R&D, and then
    ultimately be able to translate that into use cases for the
    commercial sector. So I think we need to continue to look at
    those opportunities and do more of that.
        Senator Young. I will move on to biotechnology briefly. Mr.
    Kratsios, I have chaired for the last roughly 18 months a
    National Security Commission on Emerging Biotech. We will
    produce our final report for Members of Congress in the next
    couple of months.
        And I have come to learn how important this technology will
    be to our national security and our economic vigor for the next
    generation and beyond. If confirmed, how will you ensure the
    U.S. is prepared to take advantage of this key platform
    technology?
        Mr. Kratsios. Yes, similar to other emerging technologies,
    the way that you can achieve U.S. leadership is through a whole
    of Government approach that is able to leverage the strengths
    of individual agencies and how they can plug in to the larger
    strategy.
        I think just like we have seen with AI and quantum, you
    need coordination between agencies like DOE, the National
    Science Foundation, and Commerce, and even agencies like DOD
    that ultimately use this technology. And I think the same will
    go with biotech.
        Senator Young. More specifically, what role will our
    ability to produce, gather, and put in readable format
    biological data play in our staying ahead of the competition?
        Mr. Kratsios. I think it is very critical. If we look at
    some of the largest players in in China, I think their sole
    mission is to hoover up as much of that as possible. And I
    think the U.S. has been in a position to prioritize and think
    about the value of this genetic data.
        Senator Young. One final thing from Mr. Meador. Noncompete
    reform has been a priority of mine. I think that non-
    competition agreements are overbroad, they are over utilized,
    and there are better instruments existing under labor law to
    deal with the stated concerns of employers.
        This is an impediment to upward mobility and so forth. I
    think Ms. Khan acted illegally. The courts vindicated my view
    as it relates to this policy issue, but I think on the
    substance, directionally, they were headed in the right
    direction.
        Do you have any plans as it relates to noncompete reform?
    And can you assure me that you will work with this committee if
    you start to rulemaking in--as it pertains to this issue?
        Mr. Meador. Yes, Senator. Thank you. I share your concerns
    with regard to non-competes. I agree they have been overused
    and abused. And I won't comment on the legal status of the
    rulemaking since I know that is subject to litigation, but I
    can say there is a lot more the FTC can do, including through
    competition enforcement actions. I think that would be a good
    next step for the agency to take, is to investigate how we can
    use our traditional enforcement powers to address those harms.
        Senator Young. Fantastic. I look forward to working with
    you on that, should you be confirmed. Can we work together?
        Mr. Meador. Absolutely.
        Senator Young. Thank you, sir. Chairman.
        The Chairman. Thank you. Ranking Member Cantwell.
        Senator Cantwell. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you
    again to both of the nominees, and your willingness to serve,
    and your families. Kids have been camped out there in the ante
    room having a good time, but they said that they can't wait to
    hear you answer more questions, so.
        [Laughter.]
        Senator Cantwell. Mr. Meador, on 13(b)--you know, we have
    had the FTC Commissioners before us. I almost think you could
    almost get to a resolution before we could get to a resolution.
    But you agree the importance of having 13(b) for consumers?
        Mr. Meador. Yes, Senator. I think it is incredibly
    important that the Federal Trade Commission have the ability to
    return money to consumers who have been harmed.
        Senator Cantwell. Right. So, do you have any thoughts about
    how to come to an agreement on restoration of that authority?
        Mr. Meador. I would defer to this committee and Congress as
    a whole as to how best to navigate that. But if confirmed, I am
    ready and willing to consult and assist with your office or any
    others to figure out how we can make that happen as quickly as
    possible.
        Senator Cantwell. But you see that refunds are part of
    that?
        Mr. Meador. Yes. I believe when we have consumers who have
    been harmed by unfair or deceptive practices, one of the best
    things the FTC can do is get the money back to the consumers.
        Senator Cantwell. So, but refunds writ large are a good way
    of preventing anti-competitive behavior?
        Mr. Meador. They can certainly be a tool, I think. You
    know, everything is obviously fact specific. It depends on the
    case. But if confirmed, I look forward to working with the
    staff to examine what has been effective in the past and what
    we would want to do in the future.
        Senator Cantwell. OK. Thank you. And then I know you got a
    question from one of my colleagues on PBMs, but Senator
    Grassley and I have reintroduced our PBM bill that is about
    outlawing spread pricing and clawback actions by PBMs. Do you
    have thoughts about that?
        Mr. Meador. I will tell you; I enjoyed working with Senator
    Grassley staff in the Judiciary Committee on many of these same
    issues. And if confirmed, I would really appreciate consulting
    with your office and others to talk about what the best
    Legislative solution could be in this industry.
        Senator Cantwell. But do you think that that is--you know,
    I like this anti-manipulation authority. I have given anti-
    manipulation authority to the Federal Energy Regulatory
    Commission. I gave it to the Commodities Futures Trading
    Commission. They both have established a very aggressive
    oversight of very anti-competitive and manipulative practices.
        In fact, both agencies have gotten billions of dollars in
    fines against companies. The FTC not--hasn't done so much here.
    But Senator Grassley felt very specific about saying these
    types of practices are illegal. You don't have any problem
    saying that?
        Mr. Meador. I would want to see the final report for the
    6(b) study that is currently pending before the Commission. I
    think that is the first step we have to take. I have been
    looking at PBM since I was in law school, writing about them.
        I am familiar with a lot of the concerns in the industry. I
    also know things have changed a lot since then, so I think it
    is important we understand what is happening in the marketplace
    today, and then we will know what steps to take.
        Senator Cantwell. Yes, well, there could be good actors who
    basically do get you a discount. But if somebody goes to a
    large employer and says, I will get you a 35 percent discount,
    and then they pocket 30 percent of it at the PBM and only give
    the company and the workers 5 percent, that doesn't seem like a
    fair way to do business.
        OK, I have to ask your seatmate there, Mr. Kratsios, about
    technology. I am sure people talked about testbeds while I was
    gone. You believe that that is a vital role that we play at the
    Federal level when, you know, aviation, or quantum or, you
    know, somebody can't do the scale at which an industry needs to
    get an answer?
        Mr. Kratsios. Yes. Testbeds have served a very important
    purpose for a wide variety of technologies. NIST, for example,
    has a lot of experience in building testbeds as well.
        Senator Cantwell. And so, where do you fall--I love that
    Senator Lee was here, as well as Senator Hagerty, because they
    both--well, one comes from a very benefited DOE state and the
    other one is chairing now the Energy Committee, and these are
    initiatives oftentimes on the testbed side that are at DOE or
    at NSF.
        What are your thoughts about the President's NSF comments,
    and how do you think these two agencies fill that role of doing
    that testbed work?
        Mr. Kratsios. I think both NSF and DOE have proven with the
    CHIPS Act implementation, and with work that was done even
    before that for both AI and quantum centers, there is great
    opportunity to leverage those two agencies with their rich
    history of funding and creating and organizing user facilities
    to be places where a lot of these very important testbeds can
    reside for their communities.
        Senator Cantwell. So, you want to speak loudly about how
    robust that is. Is that correct? Is that--I want to make sure I
    get the characterization. I don't want to--you say this and
    then we will find out, oh, yes, go ahead. Take a meat cleaver
    to NSF.
        Mr. Kratsios. I think it is critically important that
    through an interagency process, that OSTP is able to relay the
    importance of the scientific and technological community to the
    larger discussion and ultimately to the decision of the
    President. And I commit to bring to bear the science and
    technology advice to those conversations.
        Senator Cantwell. OK, that sounded more like a politician
    than a science guy, but OK. What about spectrum? Do you think
    that we could use a little testbeding on the spectrum
    technology to help us really move ahead of our competitors here
    and really get the solution for the future?
        Mr. Kratsios. I do. I think it is important to do kind of
    advanced spectrum testing. When I served as Acting
    Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, we did
    some work around 5G testbeds at some of our military bases.
        And why that was sort of an interesting opportunity was
    that some of the regulations around approvals for these types
    of tests were much easier when they were done on military
    facilities. So I think across all emerging technologies, I
    think we have to be innovative and thoughtful on how to be able
    to make sure that the U.S. is continually leading on these
    technologies.
        Senator Cantwell. Thank you. I will have more questions for
    the record on that. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair.

                  STATEMENT OF HON. MARSHA BLACKBURN,
                      U.S. SENATOR FROM TENNESSEE

        Senator Blackburn. Thank you, Senator Cantwell. And
    welcome. We are delighted that you all are here, and
    congratulations on your nominations. Mr. Kratsios, I know that
    Senator Lujan asked you about the Quantum Initiative and
    getting that back in gear. I want you, for the record, just
    talk about what you can do in this position as--if confirmed,
    to really advance quantum.
        In Tennessee, this is something that is important.
    Chattanooga and the electric powered board there, they are
    working to commercialize the first open, available--
    commercially available quantum network. So, I would love to
    hear that from you.
        Mr. Kratsios. Yes. So OSTP plays a special role in quantum,
    and that is the home for the National Quantum Coordination
    Office. And it is essentially the focal point for the larger
    interagency on how sort of quantum policy is run for the
    Federal Government.
        I think for me, we have an incredible opportunity before us
    in this Congress to reauthorize the National Quantum
    Initiative. I think there is important work to be done on the
    way that sort of a lot of the very great and vital basic
    research that is done on quantum is ultimately translated into
    things that can actually benefit the American people through
    use cases. The other thing that I think we also need to
    always----
        Senator Blackburn. Testbeds for near-term applications?
        Mr. Kratsios. Yes, testbeds are a great opportunity and a
    place where that translation can happen. I think the closer
    that we can get sort of commercial operators to the folks who
    are doing the basic R&D and actually accelerating that lab to
    market, I think is very important. And I think a lot of the
    centers that have been set up both at NSF and at DOE can serve
    that opportunity.
        Senator Blackburn. Let me ask you about standard settings.
    This is something Senator Warner and I have talked a good bit
    about. We are concerned about China's aggression as--whether it
    is the WRC or whether it is any number of other applications,
    and we are trying to encourage U.S. leadership in that regard.
    And is that on your radar? Are you watching that?
        Mr. Kratsios. It is, yes. I think whenever I think of a
    comprehensive strategy for emerging technology, how the U.S. is
    able to posture globally to be the ones who will be the
    standard setters in the standard setting process is important.
        In the 2019 Executive Order, the President called on NIST
    to drive these types of standards setting initiatives on AI
    globally. And I think the same important work can and should be
    done in quantum.
        Senator Blackburn. OK. And hypersonics? You know, in
    Tennessee, we have got the only place where hypersonic testing
    can be done. And we know Russia and China, North Korea is
    over--meddling with hypersonic technology. So is--tell me what
    you are looking at there.
        Mr. Kratsios. Yes. So hypersonics are a critical technology
    that the DOD and the U.S. must lead on. In the first Trump
    Administration, a very large--a policy decision was made to
    refocus a big and significant portion of the research
    engineering budget toward hypersonics efforts, and I think
    those continue. And I think it is incumbent on sort of our
    larger defense tech ecosystem to continue to drive on
    hypersonics.
        Senator Blackburn. OK. And Mr. Meador, we look forward to
    seeing you go to the FTC. The BOTS Act is something that was
    passed in 2016, and the FTC has taken up only one case in the
    BOTS Act. Enforcement on that is necessary. It is important to
    our Tennessee entertainers, and indeed anybody with a live
    venue. So have you looked at that issue?
        Mr. Meador. Somewhat yes, Senator. I think it is incredibly
    important. I have been active in the ticketing space and
    ensuring that we have competitive markets that are free from
    interference by unfair and deceptive practices. And so, if
    confirmed, I look forward to working with the Commission and
    staff to make sure we enforce that law fully.
        Senator Blackburn. OK. And children in the virtual space.
    We have got some young attendees here today. And of course,
    protecting children in the virtual space is terribly important.
    The Kids Online Safety Act, we have tried to get that passed
    very--we have done well within the Senate.
        We are working with our friends over in the House who just
    couldn't seem to get there to protect kids. So I would hope
    that you will work with us as we try to get this legislation
    passed and on the books.
        Mr. Meador. Yes, Senator. I care personally very much about
    this topic, and I would be happy to be a resource and work with
    your office.
        Senator Blackburn. Absolutely. Well, congratulations. We
    appreciate that you all are here. Senator Markey, you are
    recognized for five minutes.

                   STATEMENT OF HON. EDWARD MARKEY,
                    U.S. SENATOR FROM MASSACHUSETTS

        Senator Markey. Thank you, Madam Chair, very much. In 1998,
    I authored the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, which
    is still the only Federal privacy legislation to protect young
    people online. Mr. Meador, in our meeting yesterday, you
    acknowledged that you were not that familiar with COPPA. If
    confirmed, can you commit to quickly getting up to speed on
    that law?
        Mr. Meador. Yes, Senator, I look forward to it.
        Senator Markey. And if confirmed, will you commit to
    strictly enforcing the Federal Trade Commission's COPPA rules?
        Mr. Meador. Yes, Senator. I think it is important for the
    FTC to strictly enforce all the authorities Congress has given
    it.
        Senator Markey. Thank you. And while the original COPPA has
    been a major success, it is past time we updated COPPA's
    protections to account for new predatory practices online.
    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in
    2023, 1 in 4 teenage girls seriously considered suicide, 1 in 8
    teenage girls attempted suicide, and 1 in 5 LGBTQ youth high
    school students attempted suicide.
        And that is why for over a decade, I have been fighting to
    modernize COPPA to protect teenagers from targeted ads that
    promote content related to eating disorders, amongst other
    things. Mr. Meador, do you agree that Congress should protect
    children and teens' online privacy?
        Mr. Meador. Senator, I think protecting children is one of
    the most important missions for both the FTC and Congress and
    would love to work with your office on that.
        Senator Markey. And I am glad to hear that because we do
    need to address the pervasive tracking and targeting of young
    people, and we do need COPPA 2.0 to become the law in the
    country.
        Now, I want to turn to the baseless claim that big tech has
    unfairly censored conservatives. Mr. Meador, when we met
    yesterday, you said that you needed to learn more information
    about the issue and would follow the facts.
        But when Chairman Cruz asked earlier this morning whether
    you agree that ``big tech censorship poses the greatest threat
    to free speech and free and fair elections in this country,''
    you said you agreed.
        So that answer is inconsistent with our conversation
    yesterday. So let's be completely clear. Do you believe the big
    tech has censored conservative speech?
        Mr. Meador. Senator, thank you for that question. So I
    would make a distinction between sharing the concern about the
    behavior of big tech and how they conduct their online
    platforms, and whether or not that conduct amounts to a
    specific violation of the FTC Act.
        And so, when we were speaking yesterday, that is how I view
    that discussion, is how would I look at the question of whether
    any specific action by an online platform violates one of the
    provisions of the FTC Act. That is something that I don't want
    to prejudge. I would have to look at it at a fact, case by case
    basis, comparing the facts to the law.
        I am glad that the FTC has taken the first step to start
    collecting that information so we can assess that important
    question, but I do share the overarching concern about how
    content moderation has been implemented by many online
    platforms.
        Senator Markey. Well, again, that is not the answer, in my
    opinion, that you gave to Senator Cruz today. Last week, the
    Federal Trade Commission began collecting comments on whether
    the platforms have censored users based on their speech, and
    this action is clearly designed to intimidate the platforms to
    adopt speech policies that promote conservatives. Mr. Meador,
    is it the FTC's responsibility to ensure that the platform's
    content moderation rules support conservative viewpoints?
        Mr. Meador. Senator, I believe it is the FTC's
    responsibility solely to enforce the laws that Congress has
    given it.
        Senator Markey. OK. Well, many people like myself strongly
    believe that the platforms did not improperly censor
    conservatives. In fact, a peer reviewed study from last year
    found that while conservatives were suspended more often on
    Twitter, they were also much more likely to share
    misinformation. Madam Chair, I would like to include that study
    in the record.
        Senator Blackburn. Without objection.
        [The information referred to follows:]

        [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

        Senator Markey. Mr. Meador, will you commit to objectively
    following the facts in any of these conspiratorial fishing
    expeditions into censorship of conservatives?
        Mr. Meador. Senator, I commit to fairly looking at the
    facts in every case that would come before me if I am confirmed
    as a Commissioner.
        Senator Markey. Well, again, I remain deeply concerned
    because your comments earlier today suggest that you have
    already come to a conclusion on this issue. Chairman Ferguson
    has made similar comments.
        Mr. Meador, if the FTC career staff conclude that no
    further investigation or enforcement action is warranted
    against the big tech platforms for supposedly censoring
    conservatives, will you commit to following that
    recommendation?
        Mr. Meador. Senator, I can commit to closely examining the
    evidence collected by staff, along with their recommendations,
    and consulting with my fellow Commissioners, if confirmed, to
    ensure that we are reaching the right decision based on the
    facts and the law.
        Senator Markey. Well, that is deeply disappointing because
    in my opinion, you know, objectively looking at it, the staff
    will come to a conclusion that there has been no censorship.
    But my fear is, of course, is that President Trump is clearly
    trying to turn the FTC into the Federal Truth Commission. And I
    think that is going to be very, very damaging to our country.
    So I am going to be watching very closely. And I thank you, Mr.
    Chairman, for this time.
        The Chairman. Thank you. Senator Schmitt.

                    STATEMENT OF HON. ERIC SCHMITT,
                       U.S. SENATOR FROM MISSOURI

        Senator Schmitt. Well, it is interesting because as
    Attorney General of Missouri, I followed the Missouri v. Biden
    lawsuit that uncovered the vast censorship enterprise. The idea
    that there wasn't censorship is nonsense, total nonsense.
        We saw the weaponization of the whole of Government against
    political opponents because they dared to dispute the efficacy
    of masks or had concerns about the vaccine. The idea that there
    wasn't censorship does a real disservice.
        I think the worst abuse of the First Amendment we have ever
    seen in the United States of America. So I hope, I hope you
    continue to look at this, because I think we have just
    scratched the surface. And it is--the idea that the Federal
    Truth Commission--how about the Disinformation Governance Board
    that was established under President Biden?
        This is Orwellian stuff. So the FTC is right. I think glad
    that the leadership has been shown to sort of open up and find
    out what other examples exist, because there is no way we are
    effectively going to deal with this until we admit that there
    was a problem.
        And my friend from the other side who just made the
    statement is just totally ignorant of the facts. And by the
    way, who decides the truth like the Government doesn't. People
    get to decide that. You only get to do that in a free and open
    society where people are--have the ability to speak their
    minds. And so, I guess, Mr. Meador, I want to ask you this
    question then I guess. What other steps can be done to ensure
    that people can speak their minds?
        I know--we have talked about the coordination between the
    Government and big tech. That is certainly a thing because that
    is a direct violation of the First Amendment. But I know that
    you have got a couple of different buckets, whether it is
    violating terms of service or violating the core tenants of
    Section 230 protections. What is sort of--how do you view this
    in the role the FTC has?
        Mr. Meador. Thank you, Senator. So, I think there are two
    avenues through which the FTC could potentially address this
    kind of conduct. There is the antitrust laws. So if you have
    competitors colluding on content moderation standards, that
    could potentially amount to a violation of the antitrust laws.
        And on the consumer protection side, if the application of
    terms of service or other promises made by a platform end up
    being deceptive in some way to consumers, you could potentially
    have a concern there under the FTC Act.
        Senator Schmitt. And I think when Europe is really messed
    up on AI as it has been overregulated and it is--they are sort
    of pushing a political bias, which has, I think, demolished
    Europe's chances at being a leader in this, which I guess that
    is good for us.
        But how do we avoid that? How do we avoid woke AI? How do
    we avoid black George Washington? Like what do we do to make
    sure that this doesn't become the next frontier for this level
    of censorship, with quantum chips fueling it?
        Mr. Meador. Yes. Here, I think the best thing the FTC can
    do within its remit is to fully enforce the competition laws to
    ensure that markets are not unduly concentrated or dominated by
    a single actor and that consumers have choice.
        Ultimately, I think we can trust that the market will work
    if we give it a chance, but that means we have to maintain
    competition so that consumers can take their business elsewhere
    if they are unhappy with the services they have received.
        Senator Schmitt. Thank you. Mr. Kratsios, thank you for
    your willingness to serve as well. Highly qualified. I have
    respected you for years. We have gotten to know each other. The
    President has announced a national initiative to drive
    innovation, like the American AI Initiative.
        David Sacks is a great pick to be helping with a lot of
    this stuff in the National Quantum Initiative. How do you view
    your role in making sure those programs are successful--those
    initiatives are successful?
        Mr. Kratsios. Yes. The Office of Science Technology Policy
    has the role in the White House to coordinate these efforts
    across the Federal Government.
        So whether you are driving a national strategy on
    artificial intelligence or on quantum information science, all
    the wide variety of agencies that all have a very important
    role to play, from basic research funding at the National
    Science Foundation, to more applications work at some of our
    DOE labs, to some standards related work at NIST.
        And where OSTP plays a more critical role is being the
    convener and the coordinator for these efforts across the
    Government. And that is what we did in the--in 45 with a
    variety of emerging techs, and we hope to do again in 47.
        Senator Schmitt. What do you think the biggest challenge is
    right now for the United States to be the leader--and AI gets
    thrown around, you know, sort of broadly, but to be the leader
    in kind of innovation? And, you know, obviously DeepSeek is a
    wakeup call. I mean, there is no way they did it for $6
    million.
        But the fact is, I think our assumptions about how far
    ahead we were, have been shattered to some degree, right. So
    this is a very serious race we have with China. What do you
    think our biggest obstacle is to continue to be the leader?
        Mr. Kratsios. I think our biggest obstacle is effectively
    pursuing a promote and protect strategy. So you can have an
    institute, a set of export controls, for example, around high
    end chips, but if you are not successfully enforcing those
    export controls and not actually limiting the access of bad
    actors in the PRC from accessing those chips, you are not
    actually protecting well.
        And the same goes on the promote side. You can encourage
    the, you know, research and development, and translational
    research in these emerging tech fields, but if you are not
    effectively allocating those dollars to the biggest and hardest
    problems in those fields, you are not actually moving the ball
    forward.
        So I think the strategy is there. I think you just have to
    effectively execute on the two sides of that coin to promote
    and protect.
        Senator Schmitt. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        The Chairman. Thank you. Senator Klobuchar.

                   STATEMENT OF HON. AMY KLOBUCHAR,
                      U.S. SENATOR FROM MINNESOTA

        Senator Klobuchar. Thank you very much. Thank you.
    Congratulations to both of you. I think I will just start with
    one question of you, Mr. Kratsios. In your testimony, you
    mentioned helping to double R&D spending during President
    Trump's first Administration.
        You have already seen this Administration's attempt to gut
    funding from many important research agencies, including NIH.
    If confirmed, will you commit to funding research and
    development at levels authorized by Congress?
        Mr. Kratsios. I will have to coordinate with the President
    and with OMB obviously on budgets, but my commitment is to
    bring to the table and bring to those conversations the
    importance of research and development in these emerging
    technologies.
        Senator Klobuchar. Right. Do you agree that domestic
    semiconductor production should continue to be a priority for
    the U.S.?
        Mr. Kratsios. Absolutely. We have to be able to produce
    high-end chips here in the U.S.
        Senator Klobuchar. Excellent. Thank you. Mr. Meador, I
    worked closely with you, with my staff I know did on antitrust
    and competition issues during your time in Senator Lee's
    office. And I hope, if confirmed, you will continue to work in
    a bipartisan manner as you did there.
        Today, the Commission is litigating antitrust cases against
    Meta, Amazon, John Deere, a pesticide manufacturer, a medical
    provider, many others. Will you commit to continuing to
    prosecute the antitrust cases currently at the Commission, and
    to pursue remedies that will protect consumers from anti-
    competitive conduct?
        Mr. Meador. Thank you, Senator. It's good to see you again.
        Senator Klobuchar. Yes.
        Mr. Meador. So, while I can't commit to any specific
    action, obviously I share the concerns that the agency is
    seeking to address. I think it has a lot of important work on
    its docket, and I can commit to taking that very seriously, if
    confirmed, to ensure we are doing everything we can to enforce
    the law.
        Senator Klobuchar. Thank you. Appreciate that. You have
    written that, ``It's long past time for our government to
    finish what they've started, break up Live Nation-Ticketmaster,
    and bring real competition back to the live event ecosystem.''
        While you worked for Senator Lee, I teamed up with him, as
    you know, to hold a rather memorable hearing. Senator Cruz was
    there in Judiciary on Live Nation-Ticketmaster's monopoly over
    venues, artists promotion, and online ticketing.
        While the Justice Department, I know you are aware of this,
    is litigating that case, can you elaborate why it is so
    important to take on monopolies like Live Nation, Ticketmaster,
    and how will that experience help you at the FTC?
        Mr. Meador. Absolutely. So, in that case, we have an
    industry that has many parts in sort of a vertical chain. And
    what we have seen is that combining all of them into one firm
    has allowed them to engage in what is called foreclosure in
    many instances.
        So when one company controls both the primary ticketing
    service that artists use and venues use, as well as the actual
    venues themselves, it gives them the ability to lock up the
    entire industry, which ultimately raises prices for consumers,
    reduces the quality of their experience at these events,
    deprives artists of the money that they would have otherwise
    earned, and it just leads to a worse ecosystem overall.
        And so, if confirmed to this position, I would take those
    concerns from that industry and be on the lookout for similar
    situations in other industries to make sure that if one firm is
    seeking to dominate an entire industry, it is not doing so to
    the detriment of consumers.
        Senator Klobuchar. OK. Very good. FTC independence, I know
    that Senator Lujan asked you some questions along these lines,
    but do you agree that the sole focus of the FTC should be to
    protect consumers from unfair methods of competition and
    deceptive practices, which is clearly in their act setting them
    up, without concern for political pressures from the White
    House?
        Mr. Meador. Yes, with the one caveat that we have about 80
    statutes we enforce total. And so, I would----
        [technical problems].
        Senator Klobuchar. That is what I thought. Actually, as I
    asked the question, I thought that might be a very smart answer
    on your behalf. As you know, I worked with Senator Grassley to
    update corporate merger fees for the first time in 20 years to
    give our antitrust agencies more resources to hire attorneys
    and economists.
        And Senator Lee and I coordinated on his bill on the tech
    cases, allowing the State AGs to keep them in their
    jurisdictions, which was a Lee, Klobuchar bill. Thank you. As
    well as this bill that I had with Grassley, and both passed.
        Do you agree that to take on some of the biggest companies
    in the history of the world, that the FTC must be funded and
    staffed with the best people possible?
        Mr. Meador. Yes, Senator. I think it is obviously important
    for the FTC to have everything it needs. And I was honored to
    work with your office on that legislation and create the
    possibility of antitrust enforcement that is self-funded
    without burdening taxpayers.
        Senator Klobuchar. OK. How will you work with State AGs--
    there is a lot of action going on in the states right now--to
    enforce antitrust and consumer protection laws?
        Mr. Meador. I think that is one of the unique things about
    American antitrust that I really appreciate is the multiple
    levels of enforcement that we have, including private suits,
    Federal suits, but also State AGs. And I know the FTC has a
    long history of working productively with State AGs, and if
    confirmed, I would look forward to continuing those
    relationships.
        Senator Klobuchar. All right. Thank you. I want to thank
    both of you for actually answering the questions and doing it
    in a short period of time and not filibustering. So, that was
    actually miraculous. Thank you. And if we have any other
    questions, I will put them on the record. Thanks.
        The Chairman. Thank you. Senator Moreno.

                   STATEMENT OF HON. BERNIE MORENO,
                         U.S. SENATOR FROM OHIO

        Senator Moreno. Thank you, Mr. Chair----
        The Chairman. [Technical problems]--chance for a
    filibuster.
        [Laughter.]
        Senator Moreno. Thank you. I am new. I haven't quite
    learned the skills of just talking endlessly about nothing, but
    I am sure it will come naturally as time goes on. In that vein,
    Mister----
        The Chairman. Given that you sold cars, I don't believe
    you.
        [Laughter.]
        Senator Moreno. Well, you know what--you know what----
        Senator Klobuchar. Well, I did not say that.
        Senator Moreno. I was trying to improve my life status from
    car dealer, and I went backward--politician. If I get my law
    degree, I am toast.
        [Laughter.]
        Senator Moreno. But anyway, Mr. Meador, back to you, who is
    a lawyer, so I mean that the nicest way possible. Thank you for
    agreeing to serve again in this Administration. How--if you
    were to describe this--your job to a 13 year old, is that
    right? How would you describe your job?
        Mr. Meador. Senator, I believe my job is to make the lives
    of American families better. And that is primarily through
    protecting the markets that they rely upon to put food on the
    table, to get health care for their children, and just to go
    about their daily business.
        And that includes competitive markets so that they have
    options that are affordable and high quality, and that in the
    midst of trying to provide for their families, they aren't
    deprived of their wealth or security through scams and other
    fraudulent behavior.
        Senator Moreno. And as you think about this job that you
    are about to undertake, what would be your top one or two
    priorities?
        Mr. Meador. Senator, I am focused on the sort of the
    kitchen table issues. Again, going to those things that affect
    the average person on a daily basis, making sure that they
    have, you know, competitive markets that provide affordable
    housing, energy, health care, food. All of those, I think
    should be top of mind for the FTC.
        Senator Moreno. That is right. And having your fellow
    Commissioners here to support you shows that the agency really
    should be free of politics and should be somebody that does the
    right thing. So I appreciate your willingness to serve. Mr.
    Kratsios, I appreciate you being here and your willingness to
    serve. I also applaud your parents being here.
        As you know, I am a first generation immigrant myself from
    Columbia, South America. So we know the Spanish Empire was the
    greatest empire, not the Greek Empire. But I appreciate you
    being here. I am sure your parents are extremely proud of you
    serving once and now doing it again.
        I just want to remind my Democrat colleagues that you were
    unanimously confirmed, and to keep that in mind despite their
    tendencies to want to be partisan. You are taking on a big job,
    report directly to the President of the United States.
        It will be great to have a President of United States who
    understands artificial intelligence, and not somebody who
    actually needed it injected into his brain. So that is a step
    up from the previous Administration. And in the previous
    Administration, the person who had your job talked a lot about
    electrifying America.
        What is your thoughts on this idea that everybody should
    have electric stoves, everybody should have electric cars, and
    there is only one-size-fits-all? Is that based on science in
    your mind?
        Mr. Kratsios. I think to solve the energy problems of this
    country, we have to take an all the above energy approach. And
    electricity is obviously one part of it, but there is a whole
    lot more there. And I look forward to working with the
    President's Energy Dominance Council to make sure that is a
    reality.
        Senator Moreno. So forcing everybody to drive electric
    cars, even though they don't want it, seems like probably not
    science-based or practical.
        Mr. Kratsios. No, the Government should not be forcing
    anyone to drive a particular type of vehicle.
        Senator Moreno. That is good to hear in California. Maybe
    they haven't quite heard that memo. But speaking of California,
    objectively a pretty state run by terrible people, would you
    think that California should set standards for the rest of the
    country? Meaning, do you think it is up to California to decide
    what kind of cars people in Ohio should buy?
        Mr. Kratsios. I am not very familiar with how the policy
    around that works, but I think in principle that probably is
    something that should be looked at and more carefully.
        Senator Moreno. Yes. I would think my colleagues would want
    to have the Federal Government set even standards for the
    entire country and not have one state or another. That makes
    sense, right? We do regulate interstate commerce here in the
    Federal Government. Does that make sense to you?
        Mr. Kratsios. Yes, and we have seen that in the technology
    policy domain around issues like privacy. When if there is an
    inability to create a Federal privacy law, you end up having a
    patchwork sort of created by states and that that ultimately
    is--doesn't do the best thing for industry or for consumers.
        Senator Moreno. And do you think it is also important that
    business gets certainty for a long--as long a horizon as
    humanly possible and not think about a policy that lasts for a
    year or two or three or four, but rather over maybe a decade?
        Mr. Kratsios. Yes. I think regulatory certainly certainty
    is a big driver on encouraging investment, particularly in
    science and technology. So, I do believe that, yes.
        Senator Moreno. And we should be--I think you would agree,
    we should be the leaders. I mean, this is the country that
    innovation is born here. That we should be the leaders not only
    in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, blockchain
    technology, the technology--human machine interaction. These
    are all the things that are ahead of us. And what--how do you
    see Government's role in that? Like where do you see
    philosophically the role of the Government making that happen?
        Mr. Kratsios. Yes. So I think the Government plays
    essentially I think a role in four categories. The first is on
    early stage basic competitive R&D. So this is investing Federal
    dollars in areas where the private sector is not incentivized
    to do yet.
        And we have been doing that for 50 or 60 years. We need to
    keep doing that. The second piece is around regulations. And
    the way I usually think about it is removing barriers to
    innovation.
        So finding ways that you can actually unlock the potential
    of these technologies and allow them to flourish, and not have
    regulation get--kind of get in the way. The fourth is through--
    the fourth is through workforce programs.
        So it is critical that both we have individuals who are
    able to actually become the next great scientists and
    technologists to make these discoveries, and also prepare
    American workers to wield these technologies in their daily
    life.
        And the fourth is around international engagement. We as a
    Government need to make sure that we are partnering with our
    allies on using these technologies globally and pushing back on
    actions like the ones that the CCP take to try to push their
    technology globally.
        Senator Moreno. Well, that is a fantastic answer. Great
    job. Look forward to having both of you unanimously confirmed,
    getting you in office, and most importantly, having you visit
    the greatest state in America, Ohio.
        The Chairman. Senator Kim.

                      STATEMENT OF HON. ANDY KIM,
                      U.S. SENATOR FROM NEW JERSEY

        Senator Kim. Yes. Thank you, Chair. Mr. Meador, I think I
    would like to start with you just to be able to build on some
    of the conversation that has happened here. FTC has a
    particular structure in terms of its leadership. It is one that
    has bipartisan tradition in that way. I guess I just wanted to
    ask you, do you see benefit in that type of structure and that
    type of bipartisan nature of the FTC?
        Mr. Meador. Thank you, Senator. Yes, my experience both as
    an attorney at FTC and as a practitioner appearing before it is
    that the consensus building that took place at FTC always made
    its enforcement action stronger.
        Senator Kim. You know, I guess I just kind of raised that
    because, you know, I know there was some talk about the
    independence of FTC and why I think it is so important that we
    ensure that because, you know, there is a sense of credibility,
    right.
        Like, I would imagine you believe that for FTC, for its
    rulings to be considered, for it to have the kind of resonnance
    with the American people about a sense of fairness, that
    credibility is critical for FTC to be able to function, is that
    right?
        Mr. Meador. Absolutely, Senator.
        Senator Kim. Yes. So I just--as we kind of proceed on
    this--you know, I know there is lots of politics swirling
    around, but you and I had a really good conversation talking
    through some critical issues, like for instance about the role
    of FTC when it comes to big tech.
        And I would believe that for FTC to make decisions that are
    potentially going to be controversial around big tech, it is
    important, right, that it be seen as being done from a sense of
    what is right for the American people and a sense of fairness,
    rather than something that is political or something that is
    associated with a political donor or a special interest group.
    Is that right?
        Mr. Meador. So, Senator, the way I would view my job if
    confirmed is to show up each day working to serve the American
    people and enforcing the law the way that it has been written.
    And while I can't speak for the other Commissioners, I am
    confident that they share that view as well.
        Senator Kim. I hope so. And I think that that is something
    that--again, you know, for the majority of people watching, I
    mean, I talk to people in new Jersey about this, they don't
    necessarily fully understand the debate about independence of
    different agencies. You know, I think that is much more of a
    D.C., you know, world view in that way.
        But they do understand fairness, and they do understand a
    sense of whether or not their interests are being put forward.
    So I ask, you know, if you are confirmed that you keep that in
    mind, you know, about this.
        And if the FTC loses that sense of credibility, if it is
    seen as a political entity that is carrying out actions based
    off of whoever, which party is in control, I do think that it
    just very much will undermine the capacity for the FTC to be
    able to engage.
        Mr. Kratsios, I wanted to ask you some questions here. You
    know, I heard you speak on this from a different--a couple
    different angles, but I guess I just wanted to ask kind of
    directly. Do you think we as a nation are spending enough on
    basic science research?
        Mr. Kratsios. I think over the years since I guess the
    1950s and since sort of NSF was initially created, the amount
    of federally funded R&D has continued to generally increase,
    and I think has been critically important to the way that we
    have been able to sort of make these discoveries.
        I think what has changed a lot over the years is the
    contribution that the private sector makes to the larger R&D
    ecosystem. I think right around the time of World War II, the
    percentage of R&D that the Federal Government was funding was
    more than 50 percent, and that has changed dramatically.
        And I think that is actually a good thing for the country.
    We are actually seeing some of the greatest innovations coming
    from the private sector.
        Senator Kim. But do you think that just overall spending,
    not just Government spending, but private sector included,
    academia. Like, where are we? You know, I keep hearing a lot
    about China increasing their basic science research funding
    upwards of double digits. We are obviously not keeping pace
    with that trajectory. Does that concern you in terms of overall
    spending?
        Mr. Kratsios. I think as someone who is deeply obsessed
    with American leadership in science and technology, I do
    believe that as an economy, continuing to invest in this
    critical R&D kind of across the board is beneficial to the
    country.
        Senator Kim. So right now, the foundation of it, as you
    said Government, private sector--sort of the largest amount
    Government has been decreased in terms of total percentage. I
    think it is right around 40 percent Government funding right
    now, 37 percent private sector.
        Does that seem fair to you? Is that sort of a right level?
    I am trying to think through and understand your calibration
    here in terms of what you would like to see and whether or not
    you think the private sector should take over more of what the
    Government does when it comes to basic science research?
        Mr. Kratsios. Yes. I think what is amazing about the U.S.
    ecosystem is that a lot of these changes are driven by what I
    spoke about in my opening statement, this free market approach
    to scientific discovery in the U.S.
        I think the challenges and I think the problems with a sort
    of authoritarian or CCP type approach to science funding is
    that you end up having over allocation to the wrong things and
    under allocation to the right things. And thinking that, you
    know, you can sort of be God for the day and make sure that you
    allocate things to the right places I think is a mistake.
        I think in the U.S., the reason why we do have the greatest
    chips, and the greatest algorithms in the world, and various
    applications in the world is because we go back to that free
    market approach to innovation.
        Senator Kim. I don't discount that. And I will yield back
    to the Chair in a second. But, you know, when you listen
    through in your opening statement, splitting the atom and
    getting a man to the moon, you know, the transistor and the
    creation of the microchips.
        I mean, so much of that was based off of Government
    research funding or Government acquisition with microchips
    early on. So I just say, look, you know, there is certainly
    models in that direction, but I do think that we need to be
    careful about moving too much toward one that is just solely
    based off of profitability. With that, I yield back.
        The Chairman. Thank you. Senator Peters.

                    STATEMENT OF HON. GARY PETERS,
                       U.S. SENATOR FROM MICHIGAN

        Senator Peters. [Technical problems]--Mr. Chairman. And
    congratulations both of you in your nominations. Mr. Meador,
    you know, regardless of your own accomplishments and
    qualifications, I want to follow up on a question that Senator
    Kim asked and that deals with the independence of the
    Commission, because I am deeply concerned that the situation
    that you are entering into if confirmed in this position.
        From my viewpoint, the FTC appears to be at the center of a
    broader effort by President Trump to further consolidate his
    own power and disrupt literally nearly a century of precedent
    regarding the role of independent Executive Branch agencies.
        So my question for you is pretty straightforward following
    up on Senator Kim's comments. Do you agree with the DOJ's
    position announced earlier this month that it now believes that
    for cause removal protections applicable to independent
    Commissions are unconstitutional?
        Mr. Meador. Thank you, Senator. So I will defer to the
    Department of Justice and the White House on the legal
    positions. FTC is involved in litigation involving this
    question right now as well, that it would be inappropriate for
    me to comment on. What I can speak to are my own intentions,
    should I be confirmed, which is to show up each day to enforce
    the law, to serve the American people without fear or favor
    with respect to any party.
        Senator Peters. So, if confirmed, and a motion comes up
    after your confirmation that aligns the FTC position on the
    matter that the Trump Administration, which is trying to
    basically neuter the independent status of these agencies, what
    side would you fall on?
        Mr. Meador. Senator, I wouldn't be able to commit to how I
    would vote on any matter that might come before me as a
    Commissioner.
        Senator Peters. Well, you know, I am still very concerned
    about what is happening here. And I would hope Commissioners
    understand the importance of independence, something that has
    been happening for many, many years--decades.
        That this is a dangerous course. I know it is part of this
    unitary Executive philosophy. Folks want to know what a unitary
    Executive is, think of Putin, for example. That is a unitary
    Executive. That is the direction that we are going
    unfortunately.
        Mr. Kratsios, you previously worked on President Trump's AI
    Executive Order in 2020, which among other things, required
    agencies to publish AI use cases and ensured that agencies
    protected privacy, civil rights, as well as civil liberties.
        So my question for you is, do you still agree with that
    Trump Executive Order that agencies should publish use case
    inventories that use their AI uses to protect privacy, civil
    rights, as well as civil liberties?
        Mr. Kratsios. I do believe that the AI inventories that
    were started under the first Trump Administration are very
    important, and the Biden inspiration continued those. For both
    the White House, and more broadly for other agencies, the
    American people to see what these use cases are and how the
    Government is using AI I think is very valuable.
        I think one tweak or something to think about with those is
    that AI is becoming more and more pervasive across everything
    that we do as Americans, and everything that individual people
    and civil servants do across Government.
        So I think maybe one way to--a more valuable sort of list
    going forward, maybe some categorization of high impact use
    cases, so you are not inundated with, you know, the next
    Copilot that is being used in a browser, for example.
        Senator Peters. Certainly that all those should be
    protected, but obviously there are different risk levels. So is
    what you are saying, make sure that we have category of risk
    levels? The risk of autonomous lethal weapon system is a whole
    lot different than a predictive maintenance for trucks. Is that
    what you are referring to?
        Mr. Kratsios. I am, yes. And I think for the purposes of
    these inventories, I think impact is probably a better cut than
    risk. I think to me, I like impact, of how is this particular
    AI application making a difference in the way that an agency is
    providing its services to citizens.
        Senator Peters. I am also concerned about the brain drain
    that is occurring in Federal science agencies. The so-called
    Department of Government Efficiency has fired, as you know,
    broad swaths of workers without--not on the basis of poor
    performance, basically indiscriminately, and sometimes without
    even knowing what those workers were responsible for--in the
    case of workers that were overseeing the nuclear arsenal, for
    example.
        These firings included scientists and experts at NASA, the
    National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health,
    and the National Institutes for Standards and Technology, or
    NIST. DOGE has also created a workplace environment where issue
    area experts are essentially being harassed with the explicit
    goal of getting them to resign.
        This environment is not conducive to ensuring the
    Government can retain the top talent in science fields, which
    is essential for our competitive advantage, which we need for
    AI, and space exploration, and manufacturing, et cetera.
        So my question for you, sir, is do you agree that it is
    essential to retain top science and technology talent in the
    Federal Government to further success of the United States? And
    if so, how would you advise the President to reverse course in
    these policies that are actually having these folks with very
    specialized and important talent being fired?
        Mr. Kratsios. I do believe that it is important for all of
    our science and technology agencies to have high skilled,
    technical and scientific folks there to do the very important
    work for American people. I also think it is entirely
    reasonable for a new President to be able to evaluate the team
    that he has on the field across his agencies, and sort of make
    the necessary changes to ensure that he can achieve the goals
    that he campaigned on and won.
        Senator Peters. Well, the key word there is to evaluate.
    There is no evidence that there was any evaluation going on. It
    was indiscriminate across the board. In fact, the thing that
    really caught me is that because it is probationary employees
    that are new ones, there was basically people who were
    promoted.
        So they were outstanding performers. They got promoted to a
    different job, and now that is probationary. So we actually
    fired people who just got promoted because of their outstanding
    work.
        Congratulations, you did a great job. You are now fired. I
    don't think that works in any business. I hope that you would
    step up and say that doesn't work in the science enterprise as
    well. Yes or no?
        Mr. Kratsios. Oh, thank--yes, if I am involved in any of
    this in the future, I certainly will bring to bear important--
    the importance of science and technological advice at all of
    these agencies.
        Senator Peters. Very good.
        The Chairman. OK. I am now going to recognize Senator
    Rosen. And I am going to entrust the gavel to Senator Rosen
    while I run to vote. And I am going to have trust and
    confidence that in my absence, she is not going to seek
    unanimous consent to dissolve the White House, or the
    Department of Commerce, or something else.

                    STATEMENT OF HON. JACKY ROSEN,
                        U.S. SENATOR FROM NEVADA

        Senator Rosen. I will not. Maybe I will just declare my
    birthday a holiday or something.
        The Chairman. There you go. Knock yourself out.
        [Laughter.]
        Senator Rosen. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you for
    the nominees, your families, for being here today, for your
    willingness to serve. I am going to talk a little bit about
    consumer prices, because over the past several years, Americans
    have seen skyrocketing prices for everything from groceries to
    housing.
        And in many sectors, consolidation, of course, has led to
    higher costs, less competition, and often no choice for
    consumers of where to shop. And that is why last year I pushed
    the FTC to sue to block the Kroger, Albertson's grocery store
    merger, the mega merger that would have eliminated good paying
    jobs and led to even higher food prices in my home state of
    Nevada and across the country. So, Mr. Meador, if confirmed,
    would you support actions by the FTC to block mergers up and
    down the grocery supply chain to prevent further price
    increases for Nevadans? And of course, everybody in this
    country has to eat no matter who you are, so I will say for
    everyone.
        Mr. Meador. Thank you, Senator. I share those concerns. As
    a father of six, I pay a lot attention to our grocery bill, and
    I think it is an incredibly important topic. And yes, I can
    commit that if confirmed, I will do everything I can to work--
    ensure that we are enforcing competition up and down the
    grocery supply chain.
        Senator Rosen. And would you take action to review whether
    bad actors are taking advantage of the current supply chain
    issues? We know that there is dire egg shortages. We want to be
    sure that people aren't price gouging. And so, will you commit
    to working on that as well?
        Mr. Meador. Yes, Senator. I would be happy to help the
    staff and Commissioners look into those issues.
        Senator Rosen. And another thing, we are talking about AI
    and, of course, surveillance pricing. It is a new strategy
    where companies use personal data to change prices in real time
    for individual consumers.
        And so, this presents clear opportunities for
    discrimination and for price gouging as the goal of
    surveillance pricing is to offer the highest price to the
    specific customer who is willing to pay. For example, a new mom
    shopping for diapers, seniors for over-the-counter medication,
    or construction workers--well, Las Vegas, it is pretty hot out
    there and a Gatorade on a hot, sunny day.
        As the new FTC Chair recently withdrew the request for
    comments that the Commission had open on surveillance pricing--
    he closed it nearly 3 months early. I am concerned that this
    signals a lack of concern about rising consumer prices and the
    FTC's mandate to protect Americans from these discriminatory
    practices.
        So, again, would you commit to support publishing the
    comments received under the FTC's RFI and surveilling pricing,
    and support the publication of those findings? I think this is
    akin to price gouging in some ways as they track you around and
    decide who is going to pay what depending on who you are.
        Mr. Meador. Thank you. Senator. I can commit, if confirmed,
    to working with the staff to get up to speed on this issue and
    understand what investigative efforts they have undertaken to
    look into it, getting up to speed on the record and then
    working collaboratively with the Commission to find the best
    path forward.
        Senator Rosen. Because like you said, you are a father of
    six, and I bet you buy a lot of cereal in your home. And that
    you don't want to--suddenly you go in and the price of cereal
    is double the price for--I am an empty nester. Double the price
    or triple the price it is for me.
        Mr. Meador. We would be target number one.
        Senator Rosen. You would be target number one. I hope not.
    I hope not. Thank you. I want to move now to talking about
    DeepSeek and China. So, Mr. Kratsios, in your role as Director
    of OSTP, you will be required to develop and lead the Nation's
    AI strategy.
        We have seen huge and alarming AI advancements in China,
    with more efficient models like DeepSeek and investments in
    advanced data centers. With this innovation comes serious
    threats. I am concerned about the possibility of new AI
    platforms like DeepSeek being used to extract sensitive data
    from users.
        Additionally, DeepSeek is open source. The loopholes in its
    code could easily be copied into other platforms. I am the only
    former computer programmer in the U.S. Senate. This can happen
    pretty darn easily. And recent reports also indicate a DeepSeek
    unintentionally exposed sensitive data, including chat history
    on publicly accessible databases.
        So, Mr. Kratsios, how do you plan to collaborate with the
    private sector to ensure that our AI models have minimum
    security requirements, so they don't create a backdoor or allow
    public access to user data, to private data? And how should
    Congress be thinking about this challenge with respect to the
    models coming out of our adversary nations?
        Mr. Kratsios. I think those are all excellent points, and I
    think it is critical, at least for the Government, to be
    thinking very carefully on how to work with these individual
    model developers to think through some of these issues. I think
    a lot of them are very technical and scientific in nature.
        And one most important--or one of the most important things
    that the Federal Government can do is support the measurement
    science necessary in order to be able to test and evaluate
    these models. And an agency like NIST is a great place to
    refine the measurement science around model evaluation.
        I think the CEO of Anthropic was here in the Senate just
    two years ago, and when he was discussing some of the
    challenges he is facing was that the technological
    methodologies necessary to actually evaluate these models still
    did not exist.
        This is a great opportunity for standards making agencies
    like NIST to do the appropriate work on how you measure these
    models, and then they can be tested for all the variety of
    things that you discussed.
        Senator Rosen. Thank you. And before I close it out, I am
    just going to say I hope you would agree that we need a highly
    technical and skilled workforce in order to do this and protect
    America. And I hope that you would support keeping the skilled
    workforce that you have and not supporting these willy, nilly
    cuts. Thank you.
        Mr. Kratsios. A skilled workforce is absolutely critical.
        The Chairman. Thank you. Senator Duckworth.

                  STATEMENT OF HON. TAMMY DUCKWORTH,
                       U.S. SENATOR FROM ILLINOIS

        Senator Duckworth. I was this close to the gavel, Mr.
    Chairman. This close.
        [Laughter.]
        Senator Rosen. I know.
        Senator Duckworth. It was right here. Thank you, Mr.
    Chairman. Mr. Meador, welcome. On February 12, 2025, Acting
    Solicitor General Sarah Harris notified Senator Dick Durbin,
    the Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee that the
    Department of Justice has determined that the statutory tenure
    protections for members of FTC are unconstitutional.
        Chairman Ferguson also publicly stated his agreement with
    this position. I know Senator Lujan asked about FTC
    independence. Mr. Meador, do you believe that the President
    should be able to fire FTC Commissioners at will?
        Mr. Meador. Senator, I believe that Americans are concerned
    about high prices and the cost of living, and that the
    President is committed to improving their condition. I believe
    that is why I was nominated to this position. And what I can
    commit to is that if confirmed, that is what I will work to do
    every day, is to serve the American people by helping improve
    the cost of living and of markets and protecting them from
    unfair and deceptive practices.
        Senator Duckworth. That is good sucking up to the
    President, but you didn't answer my question.
        Mr. Meador. Senator----
        Senator Duckworth. Do you believe that the President of the
    United States should be able to fire FTC Commissioners at will?
    It is a simple question, yes or no?
        Mr. Meador. It is a simple question that is subject to
    litigation in which the FTC is currently involved. I can't
    speak to that. What I can commit to and comment on is what I
    would do if confirm which, again, Senator, would be to
    faithfully serve the American people.
        Senator Duckworth. If the President gave you an illegal
    order, would you carry it out?
        Mr. Meador. Senator, what I would do, if confirmed, is show
    up every day to enforce the law----
        Senator Duckworth. If the President gave you an illegal
    order, would you carry it out? It is very simple--or
    unconstitutional?
        Mr. Meador. Senator, I would enforce the law without fear
    or favor.
        Senator Duckworth. So will you carry out an illegal order
    if President Trump gave you an illegal order to carry out?
        Mr. Meador. I would enforce the law without fear or favor
    to any party.
        Senator Duckworth. So you are not answering me. OK. Mr.
    Meador, do you believe the FTC has any independence from the
    President?
        Mr. Meador. Senator, I think this falls under the same
    category we discussed a moment ago.
        Senator Duckworth. OK, you are not being willing to answer.
    Mr. Meador, do you believe the President can zero out the FTC's
    budget without any action from Congress?
        Mr. Meador. Senator, I believe that Congress has the power
    of the purse and works closely with the Congress--with the
    President to determine funding for the Executive------
        Senator Duckworth. Is the President allowed to zero funding
    for the FTC, yes or no?
        Mr. Meador. I have not looked into that. I am not aware of
    what the legal precedents are there.
        Senator Duckworth. OK. I will submit the question for the
    record. Please respond to me within 30 days.
        Mr. Meador. Yes, Senator.
        Senator Duckworth. Thank you. Over the past few years, I
    have worked closely with FTC on addressing shortages of infant
    formula, which have affected families across the country.
        Last year, the FTC issued its report on infant formula
    supply chain disruptions, which came after a multi-year
    investigation.
        Mr. Meador, would commit to supporting investigations by
    the FTC that highlight markets where there has been a lack of
    competition, such as in the infant formula market?
        Mr. Meador. Yes, Senator. I think it is important we focus
    our enforcement efforts where there are the most competitive
    harms. I would be very eager to work with staff to achieve
    that.
        Senator Duckworth. Thank you. Do you believe that the FTC
    has a role to play in investigating practices that may be
    increasing the cost of living for Americans?
        Mr. Meador. Absolutely. Where we have a reason to believe
    that those practices violate Section 5 of the FTC Act or
    another statute that we enforce, we should proceed with an
    investigation.
        Senator Duckworth. OK. As you may know, Illinois has one of
    the strongest biometric privacy laws in the country, the
    Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act. Many Americans are
    concerned about the use of their biometric data, like face and
    eye scans, fingerprints, or voice patterns for unauthorized
    purposes.
        For example, in 2023, the FTC and DOJ charged Amazon with
    violating children's privacy laws by keeping children's voice
    data from Alexa recordings in order to make their AI smarter.
    In 2023, the FTC issued a Commission policy statement about the
    use of biometric information.
        Mr. Meador, do you agree with the principles of that FTC
    statement, the Commission policy statement about the use of
    biometric information?
        Mr. Meador. Senator, I have not had an occasion to review
    that policy statement, but if confirmed, I would look forward
    to getting up to speed on those matters.
        Senator Duckworth. Will you report back to me?
        Mr. Meador. Yes, Senator.
        Senator Duckworth. Thank you. How would you, Mr. Meador,
    work with states like Illinois to protect biometric
    information?
        Mr. Meador. So I think cooperation between the FTC and
    states is one of the most important things we can do. We do it
    a lot on the antitrust side. I think it would be a benefit on
    the consumer protection side as well.
        Senator Duckworth. Just on background, for your
    information, the FTC's 2023 Commission policy statement about
    the use of biometric information raised significant concerns
    around the misuse of biometric data, such as discrimination
    against protected classes, AI applications like deepfakes, and
    unauthorized disclosure leaks of biometric data.
        So I hope you will keep that in mind. I am going to yield
    back 24 seconds, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Meador.
        The Chairman. Thank you very much. Thank you to both our
    nominees, Mr. Kratsios and Mr. Meador. My final question is
    required of all nominees. If confirmed, do you pledge to work
    collaboratively with this committee to provide thorough and
    timely responses to this committee's request and to appear
    before this committee when requested?
        Mr. Kratsios. I do.
        Mr. Meador. Yes, Mr. Chairman.
        The Chairman. Thank you. I have 17 various letters of
    support from multiple organizations for Mr. Kratsios's
    nomination and Mr. Meador's nomination that I ask unanimous
    consent to be inserted in the hearing record. Without
    objection, so ordered.
        [The information referred to follows:]

        [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

        The Chairman. Senators will have until the close of
    business on Thursday, February 27 to submit questions for the
    record.
        The nominees will have until the close of business on
    Monday, March 3, to respond to those questions. That concludes
    today's hearing. The Committee stands adjourned.
        [Whereupon, at 12:15 p.m., the hearing was adjourned.]

                                A P P E N D I X

         Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. John Thune to
                                Michael Kratsios
        Question 1. Advanced artificial intelligence (A.I.) is a
    revolutionary technology that has the potential to improve health care,
    agriculture, logistics, supply chains, and countless other industries.
    How would you approach A.I. regulation to protect consumers, harness
    major advancement, and limit government intervention?
        Answer. I share your view that artificial intelligence holds
    immense promise for innovation across sectors. If confirmed, I would
    work with stakeholders in government, industry, and academia to ensure
    we take a balanced approach: protecting consumers and national
    interests while maintaining an environment where innovation can thrive.

        Question 2. Will you commit to working with this committee on a
    light-touch, pro-innovation legislative framework for A.I.?
        Answer. Yes. If confirmed, I look forward to working with this
    committee to forward a legislative framework for AI that will ensure
    continued American leadership in AI and public trust in the development
    and use of AI systems.

        Question 3. Coordination across Federal agencies is essential to
    ensuring the economic benefits of licensed and unlicensed spectrum do
    not compromise national security efforts. Can you commit to working
    with your counterparts across the administration and members of this
    committee to expand access to licensed and unlicensed spectrum without
    compromising national security?
        Answer. Yes. I believe effective interagency coordination can help
    ensure that expanded access to spectrum provides economic benefits to
    the American people without compromising our national security.

        Question 4. As a member of Secretary Burgum's National Energy
    Dominance Council, will you commit to helping the President's
    administration achieve an all-of-the-above energy strategy that will
    help the U.S. achieve global energy dominance?
        Answer. Yes. American energy dominance is critical to our plans to
    lead the world in the development and deployment of emerging
    technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum information
    science. If confirmed, I look forward to supporting the work of the
    Council.
                                     ______

        Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Jerry Moran to
                                Michael Kratsios
        Question 1. Mr. Kratsios, during Congress's development of the
    CHIPS and Science Act, I advocated for increased funding to states that
    have historically received a very small fraction of the Federal
    research and development resources. Efforts to increase such funding in
    the CHIPS and Science Act include provisions raising the percentage of
    NSF research funding to EPSCoR states like Kansas from 13 percent to 20
    percent. I believe engaging researchers across the country is critical
    for U.S. competitiveness in key technology areas, including advanced
    manufacturing and biotechnology.

       If confirmed, how do you plan to support policies that
            increase scientific and technological development in states
            like Kansas?
        Answer. I recognize the importance of broadening our national
    research base so that every region can contribute to--and benefit
    from--U.S. innovation. If confirmed, I would work with Federal
    departments and agencies and Congress on programs like EPSCoR, in an
    effort to continue expanding research opportunities, foster
    partnerships with local universities and businesses, and strengthen our
    Nation's overall scientific capacity.

        Question 2. Congress is concerned about intellectual property theft
    and the transfer of sensitive technologies to China through U.S.
    universities.

       Mr. Kratsios, what steps would you take as OSTP Director to
            mitigate these risks without stifling academic research?
        Answer. I recognize the importance of protecting sensitive
    technologies while maintaining an open, collaborative research
    environment. If confirmed, I would work with Federal agencies,
    universities, and industry to ensure research and innovation thrives
    while safeguarding our national interests.

       Mr. Kratsios, how would you address participation by U.S.
            academics in Chinese talent recruitment programs, such as the
            Thousand Talents Program?
        Answer. Chinese talent recruitment programs may pose serious risks
    to national security and may violate conflict-of-interest policies at
    educational institutions receiving Federal funding. If confirmed, I
    would work with relevant Federal agencies, universities, and industry
    to ensure there is transparency, as provided by relevant statutory and
    regulatory requirements.

       Mr. Kratsios, what specific policies or guidelines would you
            propose to universities to ensure transparency regarding
            foreign funding, particularly from Chinese sources, without
            imposing overly restrictive regulations?
        Answer. I believe in a balanced approach that enhances visibility
    into foreign contributions without creating excessive burdens on
    legitimate research. If confirmed, I am happy to work with Congress on
    proposals that may bring more transparency.

       Mr. Kratsios, given your experience with emerging
            technologies, how would you leverage OSTP's authority to
            strengthen U.S. academic resilience against Chinese influence
            in fields like AI, quantum computing, and 5G?
        Answer. If confirmed, I would encourage coordinated interagency
    strategies--partnering with institutions on best practices to protect
    sensitive research and facilitate safe, productive international
    partnerships where appropriate.

        Question 3. Mr. Kratsios, how do you see the commercialization of
    space exploration shaping the future of U.S. leadership in space, and
    what role should OSTP play in advancing this agenda?

       Mr. Kratsios, during your time as U.S. Chief Technology
            Officer, you championed emerging technologies. How would you
            apply that experience to accelerate the growth of the
            commercial space sector?
        Answer. Commercial space exploration significantly shapes America's
    leadership. If confirmed, I would encourage a strong ecosystem that
    involves government, industry, and academia, ensuring we stay at the
    forefront of space innovation and economic growth.

       Mr. Kratsios, NASA has increasingly partnered with companies
            like SpaceX and Blue Origin. How would you strengthen public-
            private partnerships to ensure they benefit both U.S. taxpayers
            and the commercial space industry?
        Answer. During my time as U.S. CTO, I worked to prioritize emerging
    technologies and streamline regulations. If confirmed, I would build on
    these efforts, partnering with NASA, the FAA, and other agencies to
    create a supportive environment for commercial space ventures.

       Mr. Kratsios, what policies would you advocate for to
            encourage small and medium-sized enterprises to enter the
            commercial space market, beyond the dominance of major players?
        Answer. I believe a dynamic space sector requires diverse
    participants. If confirmed, I would advocate for simplified regulations
    and Federal opportunities that encourage smaller innovators to compete
    and thrive.

       Mr. Kratsios, how would OSTP under your leadership
            coordinate with agencies like NASA, the FAA, and the Department
            of Commerce to streamline regulations for commercial space
            activities?
        Answer. Interagency coordination is key to creating a predictable
    regulatory environment. If confirmed, I would champion collaborative
    efforts to align Federal policy, ensuring our space industry remains
    agile and competitive.

       Mr. Kratsios, how would you encourage private investment in
            high-risk, high-reward space technologies that may not yield
            immediate commercial returns?
        Answer. High-risk, high-reward research has the potential to
    generate significant technological breakthroughs. If confirmed, I would
    explore ways to ensure private capital is not deterred from supporting
    next-generation space capabilities.

        Question 4. Mr. Kratsios, you have been a strong advocate for
    American leadership in aviation innovation, especially under the first
    Trump Administration. Our global adversaries, particularly China, are
    investing in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and drones, and President
    Trump has spoken of the need to lead the world in AAM. What do you plan
    to do make certain the U.S. leads in this technology, and would you
    support an Executive Order to make AAM a national priority?
        Answer. Advanced Air Mobility is poised to reshape aviation. If
    confirmed, I would collaborate with industry and agency partners to
    identify key research areas, workforce needs, and regulatory challenges
    facing the industry. As for an Executive Order, I would offer any
    insights requested by the President to prioritize AAM.

       How would you define `aerospace dominance' in the context of
            U.S. national interests, and what role should OSTP play in
            securing it over the next decade?
        Answer. Aerospace dominance entails sustained leadership in
    technology, manufacturing, and operational capabilities across the
    aerospace sector. OSTP can help set research priorities, coordinate
    policy across agencies, and foster international partnerships that keep
    the U.S. at the forefront of aerospace innovation over the next decade.

       Given your experience as U.S. Chief Technology Officer, what
            do you see as the greatest threats to U.S. aerospace dominance
            today, and how would you address them?
        Answer. Factors include global competition, supply chain
    vulnerabilities, and talent shortages. If confirmed, I would work
    through the policy coordination process with relevant agencies to craft
    a coordinated Federal strategy to ensure U.S. aerospace dominance.

       How would you ensure that U.S. advancements in aerospace
            technology continue to set the global standard, particularly in
            the face of rising competition from China and Russia?
        Answer. I believe coordinated Federal R&D efforts, strong private
    sector partnerships, and active international engagement help shape
    global norms. If confirmed, I would work with agencies and industry to
    maintain our competitive edge.

       What policies would you propose to bolster the U.S.
            aerospace supply chain, particularly in light of recent
            disruptions and dependencies on foreign components?
        Answer. Recent disruptions highlight the need for resilient supply
    chains. If confirmed, I would consult with stakeholders and agencies on
    potential strategies--like diversifying suppliers and supporting
    domestic manufacturing--to reduce dependencies on foreign sources.

       Aerospace dominance relies on a skilled workforce. How would
            you work to strengthen STEM education and training programs to
            meet the demands of the aerospace industry?
        Answer. A robust pipeline for STEM and STEM-adjacent occupations is
    essential. If confirmed, I would advocate for collaborative programs
    among government, academia, and industry that expand access to
    aerospace-related fields at all education levels.

       What strategies would you pursue to retain top aerospace
            talent in the U.S. and prevent brain drain to competitor
            nations?
        Answer. If confirmed, I would support policies that promote
    aerospace innovation here in the United States, such as advanced
    research opportunities and competitive career prospects, encouraging
    top talent to build and work domestically.

       How would you streamline regulations to encourage innovation
            in the aerospace sector without compromising safety or
            security?
        Answer. If confirmed, I would engage industry experts to identify
    potential barriers to innovation, and would work with regulatory
    agencies to identify policies that remove those barriers where
    appropriate, while upholding aviation's high safety standards.

       What long-term investments in aerospace infrastructure--such
            as launch facilities or testing grounds--would you prioritize
            to keep the U.S. ahead?
        Answer. If confirmed, I would engage agencies and industry experts
    to identify policies that support strategic projects that strengthen
    America's aerospace foundation.

        Question 5. The development and use of emerging technology like
    artificial intelligence must continue to be promoted, rather than
    suppressed, by the U.S. intellectual property system. Existing U.S. IP
    law is capable of addressing issues related to artificial intelligence
    and serves to promote creative activity in AI technology. While unique
    issues might arise in the future that may require additional
    legislation or regulation, the technology-neutral nature of the U.S.
    Copyright Act is sufficient to address present issues regarding AI and
    copyright.

       Mr. Kratsios, in order for the United States to continue to
            lead on artificial intelligence, will you commit to promoting
            U.S. intellectual property law, including limitations and
            exceptions to U.S. copyright law like the fair use doctrine,
            abroad?
        Answer. U.S. laws around intellectual property protections and fair
    use are cornerstones of American innovation. If confirmed, I would
    collaborate with diplomatic and trade partners to defend U.S. law
    internationally and ensure continued global U.S. leadership in AI.

       Can you speak to the importance of a risk-based, flexible,
            and technology-neutral regulatory approach when considering the
            intersection between emerging technology and copyright?
        Answer. Having regulatory approaches that are risk-based, flexible,
    and technology-neutral, including for copyright law, ensure that
    regulation can keep pace with technological innovation. If confirmed, I
    would work with relevant agencies to ensure that regulatory frameworks
    can handle new technological developments and provide clarity to
    innovators.
        Under the previous Trump administration, you played a key role in
    advancing the first-ever OECD Principles on AI. Although the Biden
    Administration carried forth much of that work, the threat of
    regulatory fragmentation, driven by markets like the EU eager to embed
    their vision of prescriptive governance, is a growing threat.

       Mr. Kratsios, what is your vision for U.S. leadership on AI
            governance among like-minded states through forums such as the
            OECD and G7?
        Answer. Building upon prior initiatives, I believe that the United
    States should champion pro-innovation policies that uphold American
    values. If confirmed, I would work closely with allies and like-minded
    states to prevent regulatory fragmentation and defend American
    interests on the international stage.

       What specific principles can the U.S. advance to ensure that
            leading U.S. firms maintain consistent, fair access to foreign
            markets?
        Answer. If confirmed, I would work with relevant agencies to combat
    barriers that limit U.S. competitiveness, including advocating against
    forced technology transfer and harmful IP-related practices as a
    condition of entering a foreign market.

        Question 6. Mr. Kratsios, I am the chairman of the Commerce,
    Justice, and Science Appropriations Subcommittee that provides funding
    to OSTP and several science agencies, including NASA, NOAA, and NIST.

       If confirmed, how will you work with Congress to secure the
            funding necessary to support long-term research and development
            priorities?
        Answer. Collaboration between appropriators and Federal agencies is
    key. Every Fiscal Year, the OSTP Director partners with the OMB
    Director to author a memorandum on the Federal government's research
    and development priorities. If I am confirmed, I intend to work with
    OMB to set the Administration's R&D budget priorities and to work in
    partnership with Congress to fund those priorities to ensure American
    leadership in emerging technologies.

        Question 7. Mr. Kratsios, given your background is primarily in
    technology policy, how do you plan to address the scientific research
    components of the job?
        Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to assembling a team of
    subject matter experts with varied technical expertise across
    Administration priorities on scientific research.

        Question 8. Mr. Kratsios, in 2019 in your role as Chief Technology
    Officer of the United States, you helped lead the White House's Summit
    on America's Bioeconomy, where the importance of the bioeconomy as a
    national strategic research and development priority was discussed.
    During the summit you also highlighted the Administration's commitment
    to ensuring American leadership in emerging technologies, which
    includes investment in R&D, the workforce, and removing regulatory
    barriers to growth.
        That commitment is more important than ever in helping encourage
    domestic biomanufacturing in states like Kansas. Corn and soy farmers
    in Kansas benefit from market demand created by the manufacture of
    biobased products. According to USDA's estimates, over 11,570 direct
    jobs and over 10,680 spillover jobs in Kansas are supported by the
    biobased chemicals, biorefining, enzyme, forest products, and biobased
    plastic sectors. These activities generate over $782 million in direct
    economic value and nearly $836 million in spillover economic value to
    Kansas's economy.

       Given the importance to our economic growth and the
            implications for national security, do you and the Trump
            Administration remain committed to growing the bioeconomy's
            talent, data, and infrastructure?
        Answer. I remain committed to ensuring continued American
    innovation in biotechnology and encouraging domestic biomanufacturing,
    recognizing the importance of the bioeconomy to our economy and
    national security. If confirmed, I look forward to working with
    relevant stakeholders and agencies to realize these goals.
                                     ______

        Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Dan Sullivan to
                                Michael Kratsios
        Question 1. With Huawei, we have a recent grave example of the CCP
    utilization of preferential policies and financing to enable the
    expansion of its telecommunications equipment globally, imbedding
    itself in networks capable of espionage or sabotage of U.S. and global
    networks.
        In reaction, Congress and the Administration created restrictions
    on the use of Huawei equipment, funded the removal of the equipment
    from U.S. networks, and enacted restrictions on exports of U.S. tech to
    ensure that Huawei cannot benefit from U.S. innovations.
        We have a new profound risk with AI, as we can anticipate that the
    CCP will take similar interest in exporting Chinese developed large
    language models around the world that can be the basis to provide
    citizen facing basic government services (taxes, healthcare, benefits).

       What can the U.S. government be doing to ensure U.S. tech
            companies are globally competitive against foreign rivals?
        Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to working with Congress and
    relevant agencies on a robust, two-pronged policy agenda to both
    promote and protect American innovation, ensuring that we develop the
    best technologies here at home and defend our technologies domestically
    and globally from malign influence.

       Are our global development agencies positioned to support
            the export of American technology and software?
        Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to working closely with our
    global development agencies to craft a coordinated strategy to support
    the export of strategically important American technology abroad.

        Question 2. As Director of OSTP, pursuant to the President's AI
    E.O. on January 23rd, you will be one of the chief architects charged
    with developing an AI policy ``action plan'' by July 22, 2025. At OSTP,
    you have purview to advise the President on science and technology
    across all Federal programs and activities.
       How do we ensure that our agencies across the Federal
            government are spending research and development funds on the
            most important areas of AI? What do you see as the current
            priority?
        Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to evaluating existing
    national AI research and development strategic plans to identify
    research priorities, such as the measurement science which underpins
    large language model testing and evaluation. I will plan to work with
    research agencies to better understand their R&D priorities and
    facilitate interagency AI R&D coordination through the National Science
    and Technology Council.

        Question 3. During the Biden Administration, I was concerned that
    the Biden Executive Order on AI created uncertainty over regulating
    potential harms associated with generative AI that could stifle U.S.
    competitiveness and ability to innovate. For example, during the
    unveiling of the AI Safety Institute in London VP Harris made
    statements at the unveiling trying to redefine an existential threat to
    include the ``full spectrum'' of threats, including bias,
    discrimination and the spread of disinformation. Some of the identified
    harms extend beyond scientific concerns and delve into social policy
    realms.
       How do we ensure that the U.S. is pursuing risk-based
            guidance to industry that ensures U.S. leadership and
            competitiveness?
        Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to working with agencies to
    coordinate a use-case and sector-specific, risk-based policy approach
    across sectors and ensure that the private sector can support continued
    U.S. AI leadership.

        Question 4. The CHIPS and Science Act directed the Office of
    Science and Technology Policy to establish and lead the interagency
    Subcommittee on Microelectronics Leadership. This group is intended to
    coordinate the national strategy on microelectronics research across
    the government's science investments to ensure U.S. leadership in this
    critical technology.
       How will the Office of Science and Technology Policy--under
            your leadership--ensure that the portfolio of research
            investments made by the U.S. outpaces other nations who are
            ramping their innovation programs to try to capture market
            leadership?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will work with the Subcommittee on
    Microelectronics Leadership and relevant agencies to align R&D
    priorities, avoid duplication of effort, and capitalize on the
    creativity of American industry and academia.

        Question 5. The formidable leaps in the capability of today's AI
    systems rests on many decades of academic research supported by Federal
    science programs such as the DOE Office of Science and the National
    Science Foundation. And these offices continue to support development
    of AI algorithms and information processing science that will extend
    the capabilities of AI far beyond what is possible today.
       What actions will the Office of Science and Technology
            Policy--under your leadership--take to ensure that upstream
            research is fully supported in areas such as mathematics,
            materials science, chemistry, physics, etc. to secure AI
            leadership for the U.S.?
        Answer. Foundational research forms the bedrock of tomorrow's
    breakthroughs. If confirmed, I will champion support for fundamental
    science at agencies like NSF and DOE, as well as interagency
    initiatives that drive cross-agency collaboration. These efforts will
    be central to America's continued AI leadership.

        Question 6. In addition to incentivizing the construction of fabs
    in the U.S., the CHIPS Act also makes substantial investments in more
    applied research for piloting and prototyping in the semiconductor
    industry. Since passage of the CHIPS Act, companies have partnered with
    the Departments of Commerce and Defense to inform these R&D programs to
    ensure they meet the industry's needs.
       What role will OSTP play in maximizing continuity and
            efficiency of these programs to ensure the private sector can
            meet their R&D and innovation timelines and maintain U.S.
            leadership in microelectronics?
        Answer. A close, iterative dialogue between Federal program
    managers and industry is vital. If confirmed, I look forward to
    learning more about how these programs are being facilitated and how
    OSTP can support the Departments of Commerce and Defense.
                                     ______

         Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Tim Sheehy to
                                Michael Kratsios
        Question 1. Holmium Copper II (HoCu2) is required for every quantum
    computer, but its development is currently dominated by a Chinese
    company. The Critical Resources Summit (CRS3.0) in Bozeman, Montana, on
    April 8-9th will address this underexamined issue and other critical
    materials vulnerabilities. Will you attend CRS3.0 and engage on these
    issues?
        Answer. I appreciate the importance of critical materials to our
    emerging technologies. While I cannot confirm my schedule at this
    point, I value these discussions and, if confirmed, will ensure OSTP
    representation engages with experts and stakeholders to address
    critical supply chain vulnerabilities.

        Question 2. Will you review the importance of the National Quantum
    Initiative Advisory Committee to ensure effective representation of
    expertise on the quantum supply chain?
        Answer. Yes. If confirmed, I will review the Committee's
    composition to ensure it includes the necessary technical and industry
    expertise. This input is crucial to fortifying our quantum ecosystem
    and maintaining U.S. leadership in this field.

        Question 3. Should Congress give the Artificial Intelligence Safety
    Institute (AISI) an export promotion mandate, and make it an
    independent arbiter charged with conducting evaluations of American and
    foreign AI models to detect security threats, political bias, and
    censorship?
        Answer. I look forward to working with the Commerce Department and
    interagency partners to better assess the AISI and help chart the best
    part forward for the institute to ensure continued American leadership
    in artificial intelligence.

        Question 4. What is your overall vision for AISI?
        Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to working with the Department
    of Commerce and interagency partners to better assess the AISI and help
    chart the best path forward for the institute to ensure continued
    American leadership in artificial intelligence.

        Question 5. If Federal support for science is frequently upstream
    of private sector innovation, how can Congress support the
    administration's efforts to reduce bureaucracy and ensure Federal
    science dollars get more bang for their buck?
        Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to working with Congress and
    agencies to further study existing administrative research burdens and
    address them directly. Federally funded scientists should be empowered
    to spend less time on administrative requirements and more time on
    scientific research.

        Question 6. How can Congress support the development of critical
    infrastructure, such as high-performance computing and secure data
    centers, to maintain the U.S.'s leadership in AI and ensure resilience
    against cyber threats?
        Answer. Advanced computing infrastructure is essential to
    accelerate AI research and maintain our competitive edge. If confirmed,
    I look forward to working with DOE, NSF, and other relevant agencies on
    their computing initiatives.

        Question 7. What can Congress do to help unlock the large,
    scientific datasets at DOE, HHS, NSF and elsewhere to enable open, AI-
    driven research platforms?
        Answer. Federal datasets are a valuable national resource. If
    confirmed, I would work with agencies to encourage secure data sharing
    and standardized formats that can help unlock research breakthroughs
    across multiple disciplines.
                                     ______

       Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Maria Cantwell to
                                Michael Kratsios
        Scale AI. After leaving the first Trump Administration, you joined
    the startup company Scale AI as its first-ever Managing Director. A
    core component of Scale AI's business is using independent
    contractors--often known as ``taskers''--to review and label data sets
    that train AI models.
        Scale AI has been accused of mistreating its workers and
    outsourcing much of its work to countries with weak labor practices.
    For example, an August 2023 Washington Post report documented how Scale
    AI set up shop in the Philippines, where labor protections are
    notoriously lax. Once there, the company allegedly delayed and canceled
    payments to workers, and often paid below the minimum wage.
        More recently, Scale AI has faced multiple lawsuits in the United
    States, alleging, among other things, that the company misclassifies
    its workers to withhold pay and other benefits. Alarmingly, one recent
    lawsuit claims the company also required some workers to view
    disturbing imagines of traumatic events, such as assaults on children,
    murders, and fatal car accidents, without proper safeguards, which
    resulted in psychological distress.
        My Office has also received complaints from multiple whistleblowers
    regarding Scale AI. These former Scale AI workers detail concerning
    labor practices, including wage theft and other broken promises on
    compensation. I take whistleblower complaints like these very
    seriously.

        Question 1. Mr. Kratsios, as Managing Director of Scale AI, what
    steps did you take to ensure Scale AI's workers were fairly
    compensated?
        Answer. While at Scale AI, I did not work on the part of the
    business the dealt with taskers, which Scale calls contributors.

        Question 2. How did you ensure that Scale AI workers were not put
    into an unsafe position with respect to reviewing traumatic prompts and
    other materials?
        Answer. While at Scale AI, I did not work on the part of the
    business the dealt with taskers, which Scale calls contributors.

        Question 3. You have spoken about the importance of American
    leadership in AI. How is Scale AI's apparent business model of
    outsourcing work to foreign countries with weak labor protections
    consistent with this goal?
        Answer. While at Scale AI, I did not work on the part of the
    business the deals with taskers, which Scale calls contributors. I do
    believe in strong American leadership in AI. If confirmed, I would work
    with stakeholders to encourage responsible supply-chain practices that
    uphold American values and maintain our competitive edge.

        Question 4. If confirmed, will you advocate for and prioritize fair
    and ethical standards for the AI workforce?
        Answer. While I was not involved in the Scale business related to
    contributors, I remain firmly committed to promoting policies that
    protect workers, advance innovation, and uphold American values.

        President Trump Attacks on NSF Funding. Mr. Kratsios, the Office of
    Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) is responsible for coordinating
    with OMB to drive funding decisions for U.S. science and technology
    priorities. As you know, Federal R&D spending occurs across 15
    agencies, including the Department of Defense (DOD), the Office of
    Management and Budget (OMB), the National Aeronautics and Space
    Administration (NASA), and the National Science Foundation (NSF). If
    confirmed, you would play a critical role in driving these funding
    decisions.
        A recent Science article reports that the Trump Administration is
    considering slashing NSF's annual budget by up to 66 percent. In
    addition, universities across the country, including in my state such
    as the University of Washington School of Public Health, are pausing
    offers to PhD students as well as offers of financial support to
    current graduate students. This would have devastating impacts on U.S.
    national and economic security interests. The United States cannot
    afford to retreat in the global race for critical next-generation
    technologies, like AI and quantum computing.

        Question 5. Mr. Kratsios, do you think cutting NSF's budget by two-
    thirds would further American leadership in emerging technologies?
        Answer. The Trump Administration has not yet made a Budget request
    to Congress. If I am confirmed, I intend to work with OMB to set the
    Administration's R&D budget priorities and to work in partnership with
    Congress to fund those priorities to ensure American leadership in
    emerging technologies.

        Question 6. If confirmed, will you commit to protecting NSF's
    budget from the indiscriminate cuts we are seeing elsewhere across the
    Federal government?
        Answer. During my tenure as Chief Technology Officer of the United
    States, the National Science Foundation received record funding. If
    confirmed, I look forward to advancing an R&D agenda, including NSF
    funding, that ensures that the United States leads the world in
    fundamental scientific and technological advances to improve the lives
    of all Americans.

        Space Commercialization. Mr. Kratsios, you have stressed the
    importance of leveraging innovation through partnerships between
    government, academia, and the private sector. Given the rapid evolution
    in space technology and the growing role of commercial entities,
    understanding your vision on public-private collaboration in space is
    critical for maintaining U.S. leadership.

        Question 7. How do you envision OSTP facilitating public-private
    partnerships specifically to drive innovation and economic growth in
    the commercial space sector?
        Answer. I see public-private collaboration as a key component of
    the innovation ecosystem. If confirmed, I would encourage interagency
    coordination and stakeholder engagement to advance growth and
    competition in the commercial space sector.

        Question 8. What policy or strategy reforms would you recommend to
    the President to ensure that the commercial space industrial base
    continues to include new entrants with innovative approaches to
    providing space servicers and capabilities to maintain U.S.
    international competitiveness and avoid over-reliance on a small number
    of providers?
        Answer. I support maintaining an environment that fosters
    competition and innovation. If confirmed, I would advise the President
    on measures that lower barriers to entry, encourage investment, and
    diversify participation in the space market.

        Space System Resiliency and Sustainability. During your time at
    DOD, you focused broadly on technological leadership to protect our
    Nation against malign actors and adversarial practices. The security of
    space assets such as satellites and associated communication and IT
    systems are an integral part of maintaining our economic and national
    security leadership in space. Understanding your recommended strategy
    on protecting these critical assets is essential.

        Question 9. What measures do you propose to enhance the resilience
    of U.S. space infrastructure, particularly to ensure that we do not
    become overly reliant on any single space company or single point of
    failure?
        Answer. I believe resilience depends on robust R&D, diversified
    suppliers, and close public-private collaboration. If confirmed, I
    would promote a strategic approach that balances innovation with
    national security and avoids single points of failure.

        International Science & Technology Cooperation. Mr. Kratsios, we
    have all observed how the Administration's focus in the early weeks on
    tariffs and trade have produced mixed responses from many of our
    traditional allies. Many of our greatest scientific achievements have
    benefited from robust international partnerships.

        Question 10. What recommendation do you intend to provide the
    President regarding the value of future large research and development
    projects with international partners and allies?
        Answer. The United States has a strong history of leadership in
    global research and innovation. If confirmed, I will provide the
    President with assessments that prioritize national interests,
    scientific excellence, and strategic partnerships while ensuring that
    any international collaboration aligns with our economic and security
    priorities.

        Artificial Intelligence. As Chief Technology Officer, you built the
    American AI Initiative that included five key lines of effort designed
    to advance AI research investment and build America's AI workforce.
    Congress codified the American AI Initiative in 2020.
        Building upon this work, last Congress I introduced legislation to
    support the development of standards and testing for the most advanced
    AI models, as well as supporting education and training efforts on AI
    at NSF and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

        Question 11. Mr. Kratsios, do you support the development of
    standards and testing for the most advanced AI models?
        Answer. Yes, in general I support a framework that provides
    standards and testing without imposing excessive regulatory burdens.

        Question 12. If confirmed, will you work with me on workforce
    development, education, and training for AI to ensure that the U.S.
    remains at the forefront of AI innovation?
        Answer. Yes.
                                     ______

       Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Amy Klobuchar to
                                Michael Kratsios
        Question 1. The National Institute of Standards and Technology
    (NIST) is the agency charged with partnering with industry and experts
    to develop standards that foster innovation.

       There are public reports that the Administration is planning
            to fire probationary employees at NIST, many of whom are new
            hires in AI. How will firing many of the AI experts the
            government has recently hired affect the government's ability
            to keep up with fast-moving developments in AI?

       If confirmed, will you commit to opposing the firing of
            these AI experts?
        Answer. OSTP does not have hiring power over government agencies.
    If confirmed, I look forward to advancing an agenda that maintains
    American leadership in artificial intelligence, including expanding
    world-leading AI expertise here in the United States. I intend to
    leverage all resources--federal and nonfederal--to ensure America
    remains the unchallenged leader in technological development.

        Question 2. We're facing a projected workforce shortfall in STEM
    fields--300,000 engineers and 90,000 skilled technicians in the U.S. by
    2030. Minnesota faces a shortage of 18,000 workers in high-demand tech
    professions.

       How will you work to equip veterans and their spouses with
            the skills they need to pursue careers in high-demand fields?

       If confirmed, will you work to reduce barriers limiting the
            recruitment, retention, and success of women in academic and
            government STEM research careers?
        Answer. Ensuring that all individuals, including veterans, their
    spouses, and women, have the opportunity to excel in STEM fields is
    essential for innovation. If confirmed, I will support efforts to
    identify and address barriers to recruitment, retention, and success in
    STEM careers, ensuring that the best talent has the opportunity to
    contribute to and benefit from these high-demand fields.

        Question 3. I am working to make sure we have stronger rules of the
    road in place when it comes to AI use. My bill with Majority Leader
    Thune--the AI Research, Innovation, and Accountability Act--for
    example, would improve testing and evaluation for critical-impact AI
    systems used to make decisions about critical infrastructure.

       In the past you've supported developing thoughtful Federal
            standards that can help drive the widespread adoption of AI
            technologies across industries. If confirmed as OSTP Director,
            how do you plan to build on your previous work?
        Answer. Establishing clear and robust AI standards is essential for
    widespread AI adoption across industries. Such standards, when not
    overly burdensome, provide a common framework that enables
    organizations to integrate AI solutions in a way that accelerates
    innovation and economic growth. I continue to believe in the importance
    of AI standards for innovation, and, if confirmed, will build on my
    past work to ensure continued progress.
                                     ______

        Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Brian Schatz to
                                Michael Kratsios
        On February 18, 2025, President Trump announced an Executive Order
    (EO) entitled, ``Ensuring Accountability for All Agencies.'' The EO
    institutes an unprecedented requirement for direct presidential
    oversight over actions, regulations, and strategic plans by independent
    agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Federal
    Communications Commission (FCC) and the Securities and Exchange
    Commission (SEC).

        Question 1. With the jurisdiction of the FTC, FCC, and SEC
    extending into science and technology related matters, how will OSTP be
    involved in the presidential oversight established by the EO?
        Answer. I have not spoken to White House Counsel about this
    Executive Order. However, under the previous Trump Administration, I
    worked in partnership with many agencies to advance the President's
    vision. I intend to again work with Federal and non-federal actors to
    ensure the United States maintains ``unquestioned and unchallenged
    global technological dominance,'' as the President has said.

        As Chief Technology Officer during President Trump's first
    administration, you played a key role in crafting the administration's
    original AI policies, such as the 2019 Executive Order entitled,
    ``Maintaining American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence,'' where
    you highlighted how developing Federal standards can drive the
    widespread adoption of AI systems throughout industry.

        Question 2. How do you plan to build on this work during your
    tenure?
        Answer. Establishing clear and robust AI standards is essential for
    widespread AI adoption across industries. Federal standards provide a
    common framework that enables organizations to integrate AI solutions
    in a way that accelerates innovation and economic growth. I continue to
    believe in the importance of AI standards for innovation, and, if
    confirmed, will build on my past work to ensure continued progress.

        Question 3. If confirmed, will you advocate for the hiring or
    rehiring of technologists and AI experts at the National Institute of
    Standards and Technology to help develop standards in alignment with
    these goals?
        Answer. NIST plays a critical role in developing AI standards that
    support innovation and competitiveness. If confirmed, I will look
    forward to assessing NIST's current efforts to ensure NIST has the
    necessary expertise and resources to fulfill its mission effectively.

        Question 4. Will you commit to ensuring that AI adoption
    prioritizes public safety and consumer protection?
        Answer. Public safety and consumer protection are important
    considerations in AI adoption. If confirmed, I will support efforts to
    assess how to best incorporate these priorities into policies that
    further innovation and economic growth.

        According to reporting this week from the Pew Research Center,
    about half of U.S. workers are worried about the future impact of AI in
    the workplace.

        Question 5. How will you approach the challenge of preparing the
    American workforce for AI impacts?
        Answer. AI is transforming the workforce, and it's important to
    assess its impact on jobs and skills development. If confirmed, I will
    support efforts to explore strategies that help workers adapt to
    technological changes, including education, training, and workforce
    development initiatives.
    Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Education
        Education in core skills needed to develop and deploy critical
    emerging technologies in the U.S. is lagging behind our international
    counterparts, and could jeopardize our future economic competitiveness
    and national security. Relative to other countries, U.S. students'
    performance is declining in real-world math skills and computational
    thinking. In the field of quantum computing specifically, the U.S. is
    already facing a severe talent shortage due to an insufficient pipeline
    of talent.

        Question 6. How will you advocate for improved STEM education in
    the U.S. today to strengthen our emerging technologies workforce of
    tomorrow?
        Answer. STEM education is essential for maintaining U.S. leadership
    in emerging technologies. If confirmed, I will support efforts to
    assess and identify ways to enhance STEM education and workforce
    development to ensure a strong pipeline of talent for the future.

        Under President Trump's first administration, concerns were raised
    about staffing levels at OSTP. In July 2017, it was reported that OSTP
    had just 35 staff compared to 135 under the prior administration. By
    April 2019, that number rose to just 58 staff.

        Question 7. Given the critical national security and economic
    concerns under OSTP's jurisdiction, will you commit to ensuring
    consistent staffing levels at OSTP, and that staff have sufficient
    technological and science expertise?
        Answer. Maintaining expertise in science and technology is critical
    for OSTP's mission. If confirmed, I will assess the needs of the office
    to ensure it is positioned to provide the President with effective
    guidance on science and technology priorities.

        Question 8. Under President Trump's first administration, more than
    half of total OSTP staff were detailees, fellows, and IPAs. In light of
    the elimination of certain fellowship programs like the Presidential
    Management Fellowship, will you commit to hiring more full-time experts
    at OSTP to fulfill talent needs?
        Answer. Ensuring OSTP has the necessary expertise to fulfill its
    mission is very important. However, given the limited OSTP budget, the
    use of detailees, fellows, and IPAs is essential for obtaining the
    critical science and technology expertise needed for OSTP to fulfill
    its mission. If confirmed, I will assess staffing needs and explore the
    most effective options to maintain a strong and capable team that
    supports the President's priorities.

        In your testimony, you stated that ``China has emerged as both our
    preeminent geopolitical rival and our most formidable technological and
    scientific competitor,'' and described how OSTP will be critical in the
    effort to compete against global competitors.

        Question 9. Given the sensitivity of OSTP's mission, what steps
    will you take to ensure the physical and cybersecurity of OSTP's data
    and work?
        Answer. If confirmed, I would prioritize robust security measures
    and consult with the relevant EOP components to maintain OSTP's
    integrity.

        Federal funding for scientific research has undergirded the
    economic and technological supremacy of the United States. It has been
    instrumental in developing transformative technologies used in our day-
    to-day lives, from the Internet and GPS revolutionizing communication
    and navigation, to barcodes streamlining commerce, to MRI machines
    advancing medical diagnostics.

        Question 10. Given the important role of the government in
    supporting early, pre-commercialized science and technology research
    work, how will you encourage Federal research investments?
        Answer. Federal R&D investments are vital to sustaining America's
    edge. If confirmed, I would work with OMB and relevant agencies to
    review current Federal R&D investments and ensure these investments are
    efficient and effective.

        Question 11. How will you ensure that Federal science and
    technology research is independent from potential conflicts of interest
    for members of the administration?
        Answer. If confirmed, I would uphold conflict-of-interest
    guidelines and promote transparency in Federal research programs.

        During your confirmation hearing, you expressed that the President
    has the right to evaluate, make changes to, and align his team with his
    administration's goals. In light of significant layoffs at agencies
    that drive scientific research and technological innovation and
    adoption, I am concerned these actions run contrary to our goals of
    American leadership and competitiveness on scientific and technological
    advancement.

        Question 12. Do you agree that promoting technical and scientific
    expertise in government advances our national interests and
    competitiveness?
        Answer. Yes. The President has appointed accomplished experts and
    leaders across governmental agencies to advise on matters of technical
    and scientific expertise.

        Question 13. Will you commit to protecting the critical work of
    technical and scientific experts who are advancing our national science
    and technology interests as Federal employees?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will work with relevant agencies to better
    understand the scientific and technical work being administered and to
    promote an environment that values expertise and public service.
                                     ______

       Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Edward Markey to
                                Michael Kratsios
        Question 1. In your confirmation hearing in front of the Senate
    Commerce Committee you mentioned your support for artificial
    intelligence standards. Can you describe your plan for the creation of
    artificial intelligence standards?
        Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to learning more about the AI
    standards processes currently underway at NIST. The President directed
    the OSTP Director and the National Security Advisor to develop an AI
    Action Plan. The U.S. approach to standards will likely be part of that
    policy process.

        Question 2. If confirmed, will you commit to working with the
    National Institute of Standards and Technology to convene a consortium
    of stakeholders to identify measurement needs and standards for
    artificial intelligence's environmental impacts?
        Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to learning more about the AI
    standards processes currently underway and discuss this approach with
    NIST. The President directed the OSTP Director and the National
    Security Advisor to develop an AI Action Plan. The U.S. approach to
    standards will likely be part of that policy process.

        Question 3. If confirmed, will you commit to working with the
    National Institute of Standards and Technology to create a system for
    entities developing or operating artificial intelligence to voluntarily
    report the full range of artificial intelligence's environment impacts?
        Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to learning more about the AI
    standards processes currently underway with NIST. The President
    directed the OSTP Director and the National Security Advisor to develop
    an AI Action Plan. The U.S. approach to standards will likely be part
    of that policy process.

        Question 4. What is OSTP's role in supporting AI's positive uses by
    protecting people, especially underrepresented communities, from the
    potentially harmful impacts of such technology?
        Answer. The President directed the OSTP Director and the National
    Security Advisor to develop an AI Action Plan. If confirmed, I look
    forward to working the interagency process on developing this plan and
    promoting the positive uses of AI.

        Question 5. In 2022, OSTP issued a Blueprint for an AI Bill of
    Rights. If you are confirmed, how would OSTP use that blueprint in the
    development of AI policy and requirements for the Federal government?
        Answer. The President directed the OSTP Director and the National
    Security Advisor to develop an AI Action Plan. If confirmed, I look
    forward to learning more about previous work done on AI by OSTP and
    working with the interagency process on developing this plan.

        Question 6. What guardrails should there be for the Federal
    government's use of AI tools and other technologies, and what is OSTP's
    role in the development of such guardrails?
        Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to collaborating with relevant
    agencies to ensure AI solutions in government meet high standards of
    accountability.

        Question 7. If confirmed, what is your plan to improve the working
    conditions, wages, and benefits of AI data workers?
        Answer. While labor policies involve multiple agencies, if
    confirmed, I look forward to learning about current policies that
    support responsible practices within any Federal AI-related
    initiatives.

        Question 8. If confirmed, what is your plan to ensure new and
    emerging technologies do not continue to be implemented in ways that
    harm workers?
        Answer. The President has outlined a vision of empowering American
    innovators and workers. If confirmed, I would look forward to learning
    further how current policies implemented by the Federal government
    impact workers and how these practices can better protect workers.

        Question 9. OSTP has been deeply engaged in AI issues, and the
    office recently issued a Request for Information on AI. If confirmed,
    will you commit to formally incorporating these submissions from the
    public record received to the May 2023 RFI on Automated Worker
    Surveillance and Management in any related decision-making during your
    tenure?
        Answer. If confirmed, I would ensure relevant public feedback is
    considered as part of the broader interagency decision-making on AI
    policy.

        Question 10. There are reports that artificial intelligence and
    other technologies are being developed in order to determine where
    program funding should be cut and contracts should be cancelled. If
    confirmed, will you commit to providing transparency and publicly
    disclosing information around the use and development of these
    technologies?
        Answer. I am not familiar with these reported AI use-cases, but if
    confirmed, I look forward to learning more about the use of AI in
    government from relevant agencies.

        Question 11. There are reports that artificial intelligence and
    other technologies are being developed in order to determine which
    Federal workers should be laid off, terminated, furloughed,
    transferred, or otherwise adversely impacted. If confirmed, will you
    commit to providing transparency and publicly disclosing information
    around the use and development of these technologies?
        Answer. I am not familiar with these reported AI use-cases, but if
    confirmed, I look forward to learning more about the use of AI in
    government from relevant agencies.

        Question 12. Do you believe that bias and discriminatory artificial
    intelligence is a problem?
        Answer. The President directed the OSTP Director and the National
    Security Advisor to develop an AI Action Plan. The U.S. policy approach
    to addressing these issues will likely be part of that policy process,
    and, if confirmed, I look forward to working with interagency partners
    on it.

        Question 13. If confirmed, what is your plan to address biased and
    discriminatory artificial intelligence, especially in critical areas
    such as health care, education, employment, and criminal justice?
        Answer. The President directed the OSTP Director and the National
    Security Advisor to develop an AI Action Plan. The U.S. policy approach
    to addressing these issues will likely be part of that policy process,
    and, if confirmed, I look forward to working with interagency partners
    on it.

        Question 14. Do you believe that companies have an obligation to
    test, address, or measure its algorithms before deployment in order to
    determine whether it discriminates or is biased against protected
    characteristics?
        Answer. Testing and evaluation are key components of any AI
    strategy. The President directed the OSTP Director and the National
    Security Advisor to develop an AI Action Plan. The U.S. policy approach
    to addressing these issues will likely be part of that policy process,
    and I look forward to working with interagency partners on it.

        Question 15. Do you believe that companies have an obligation to
    monitor its algorithms after deployment in order to determine whether
    it discriminates or is biased against protected characteristics?
        Answer. Testing and evaluation are key components of any AI
    strategy. The President directed the OSTP Director and the National
    Security Advisor to develop an AI Action Plan. The U.S. policy approach
    to addressing these issues will likely be part of that policy process,
    and I look forward to working with interagency partners on it.

        Question 16. Do you support the Office of Technology Policy's
    Blueprint for an AI Bills of Rights?
        Answer. The President directed the OSTP Director and the National
    Security Advisor to develop an AI Action Plan. If confirmed, I look
    forward to learning more about previous work done on AI by OSTP and
    working with interagency partners on developing this plan.

        Question 17. Employers are increasingly relying on artificial
    intelligence in the selection and management of employees. However,
    time and time again it has been shown that AI can unlawfully
    discriminate. Do you support ensuring that artificial intelligence
    products utilized by employers are not discriminatory or biased? What
    steps would you take, if confirmed, to protect workers from the
    discriminatory impacts of AI related to the hiring and management or
    workers?
        Answer. The President directed the OSTP Director and the National
    Security Advisor to develop an AI Action Plan. The U.S. policy approach
    to addressing these issues will likely be part of that policy process,
    and I look forward to working with interagency partners on it.

        Question 18. NIST's Face Recognition Vendor Test has been an
    important tool in informing our understanding of the impact, bias, and
    performance of facial recognition technology. Do you commit to
    maintaining the program, including its independence in its scientific
    and voluntary assessments?
        Answer. The President directed the OSTP Director and the National
    Security Advisor to develop an AI Action Plan. I look forward to
    working with interagency partners on it, including learning more about
    NIST's current programs.

        Question 19. When you worked at the Office of Science and
    Technology Policy during the first Trump administration, did you
    witness significant waste and excess of the workforce during your
    tenure?
        Answer. I focused on building an effective policy infrastructure at
    OSTP, while ensuring the efficient use of taxpayer dollars. If
    confirmed, I would again work with interagency partners to address
    critical science and technology challenges to ensure American
    leadership.

        Question 20. Do you think the Federal funding freeze will impact
    American research innovation?
        Answer. It is important that the Federal government reviews grant
    programs so that funding may be deployed efficiently and without red
    tape. Our researchers and scientists cannot be consumed by bureaucratic
    compliance, but instead must focus on innovating. If confirmed, I look
    forward to advancing an agenda that ensures America remains a leader in
    technological innovation.

        Question 21. Do you think the Federal workforce cuts will impact
    American research innovation?
        Answer. OSTP does not have hiring power over government agencies.
    If confirmed, I look forward to advancing an agenda that maintains
    American leadership in emerging technologies, such as quantum, nuclear
    energy, and artificial intelligence. I intend to leverage all
    resources--federal and nonfederal--to ensure America remains the
    unchallenged leader in technological development.
                                     ______

        Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Gary Peters to
                                Michael Kratsios
        Question 1. At your nomination hearing, you mentioned prioritizing
    ``high impact'' versus ``high risk'' use cases for AI inventories. What
    markers are you using to determine what ``high impact'' is and isn't?
        Answer. To assess if a use-case is high impact, a government agency
    could evaluate the scale of the problem it addresses, such as the
    number of people or resources affected. They could also estimate the
    magnitude of benefit and ensure it's feasible with available resources.
    Use cases should also align with the agency's mission and national
    priorities. Combining these factors can helps identify efforts with the
    greatest potential impact.

        Question 2. During President Trump's first term, OSTP had open
    lines of communication with Congress. Do you commit to engaging with
    Congress, including the minority, this term?
        Answer. Yes.
                                     ______

       Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Ben Ray Lujan to
                                Michael Kratsios
        Question 1. When you served as the U.S. Chief Technology Officer
    during the first Trump Administration, you helped launch the National
    Quantum Coordination Office. In your testimony at this hearing, you
    supported the reauthorization of the National Quantum Initiative Act.
    If confirmed, will you ensure that quantum initiatives supported and
    coordinated by OSTP are inclusive of the variety of quantum computing
    (annealing and gate model systems), quantum sensing, quantum
    communications, and networking technologies available today?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will ensure that the quantum initiatives
    supported and coordinated by OSTP are aligned with the National
    Strategic Overview for Quantum Information Science and subsequent
    strategy documents on quantum sensing, communications, and networking
    authored by technical quantum experts across the Federal interagency.

        Question 2. Sen. Blackburn and I previously introduced bipartisan
    legislation to establish a ``sandbox-style'' initiative for emerging
    technologies (quantum, AI, machine learning, autonomy, and more) aimed
    at developing applications quickly that help advance our domestic
    industrial base and provide small businesses access to emerging
    technologies. If confirmed, will you support this type of public-
    private partnership and other efforts to develop and accelerate near-
    term quantum applications?
        Answer. I believe ``sandbox-style'' initiatives for emerging
    technologies that remove barriers to the development, testing, and
    evaluation of emerging technologies can help advance nascent industries
    and support the domestic industrial base for those technologies. If
    confirmed, I look forward to supporting innovative public-private
    partnerships that leverage the best of government, industry, and
    academia to develop and accelerate quantum technologies for the benefit
    of the American people.

        Question 3. I represent two prestigious DOE national labs dedicated
    to advancing scientific discovery and protecting our national security.
    Do you commit to advocating for the National Labs and the resources
    necessary for them to continue their essential R&D and national
    security missions?
        Answer. I believe the DOE National Laboratories are the crown
    jewels of the Federal research and development enterprise. If
    confirmed, I look forward to supporting the National Labs to continue
    their R&D mission in support of our national security and scientific
    advancement.

        Question 4. Should industry and government partners be investing in
    developing innovative technology to solve spectrum challenges of today
    and prepare for new challenges down the line?
        Answer. Both industry and government have an important role to play
    in developing innovative technology to solve the spectrum challenges of
    today and the future.

        Question 5. Do you believe improving interagency coordination is
    important to improving the Federal government's spectrum policy and
    strategy?
        Answer. I believe interagency coordination is always important when
    multiple agencies have roles and responsibilities in the formulation of
    policy and strategy surrounding a particular technological issue. If
    confirmed, I look forward to supporting interagency coordination
    efforts on spectrum policy.
                                     ______

     Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. John Hickenlooper to
                                Michael Kratsios
        Federal researchers deliver the scientific breakthroughs and key
    medical treatments our country relies on. Colorado is a state with a
    deep and historic scientific enterprise, with labs for the Department
    of Energy, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the
    National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and the
    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Reports of thousands
    of Federal researchers being laid off based on factors unrelated to
    their performance is deeply troubling. Our scientific enterprise
    strengthens our national security and propels our economy forward.

        Question 1. Mr. Kratsios, when you look at these layoffs to
    researchers and scientists, what message do you believe this sends to
    the international community and young aspiring scientists? What is your
    strategic plan to strengthen STEM education programs across the Federal
    scientific enterprise to attract more K-12 students to pursue STEM
    pathways?
        Answer. STEM Education is critically important to our Nation's
    continued leadership in science and technology. If confirmed, I will
    support efforts to promote and advance STEM education through multi-
    sector partnerships, ecosystem development, and the removal of barriers
    to participation in STEM pathways.

        Question 2. While AI is already showing its potential for
    increasing productivity, there is also ongoing concern that AI will
    cause disruptions to our existing workforce. How will you approach the
    challenge of preparing the U.S. workforce for the AI-enabled economy,
    including through education, apprenticeships, and retraining programs?
        Answer. AI is transforming the workforce, and it's important to
    assess its impact on jobs and skills development. If confirmed, I will
    support efforts to explore strategies that help workers adapt to
    technological changes, including through education, training, and
    workforce development initiatives.

        In your prior role in the Trump Administration, you led the White
    House's implementation of the National Quantum Initiative. Colorado is
    home to world-leading quantum research at academic institutions and in
    the private sector. Quantum technology has the potential to
    revolutionize medical drug discovery, supercharge artificial
    intelligence, strengthen cybersecurity, and support our transition to
    clean energy. The Elevate Quantum Tech Hub, based in Colorado, New
    Mexico, and Wyoming, has built a diverse array of leaders in academia,
    workforce development, and private industry to expand workforce
    training and commercial-scale manufacturing for quantum technologies in
    the Mountain West. Additionally, Colorado is home to cutting edge
    quantum information science research being conducted at JILA, which is
    a longstanding collaboration between CU Boulder and NIST.

        Question 3. How will you continue to support the development of the
    next generation of quantum scientists our Nation needs to maintain
    global competitiveness?
        Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to supporting Federal research
    and development initiatives that train the next generation of quantum
    scientists and provide them access to Federal research resources, such
    as our Federally funded quantum testbeds, that will prepare them to
    contribute to American leadership in quantum information science.

        Question 4. How will you lead OSTP to coordinate Federal R&D
    activities to complement the work of hubs of innovation across the
    country?
        Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to building a team of
    technical experts at OSTP and working with our interagency partners
    through the National Science and Technology Council to coordinate
    Federal research and development initiatives.

        Question 5. How can OSTP help turn scientific breakthroughs into
    game-changing commercial technologies and companies?
        Answer. I believe OSTP has an important role in developing and
    implementing strategies that support research and development, remove
    unnecessary barriers to innovation, promote workforce development, and
    lead international development of standards and regulations. These
    actions can support turning scientific breakthroughs into commercial
    technologies and ensuring American science and technology leadership on
    a global stage.

        Question 6. Small businesses are leading much of the innovation in
    the quantum realm. Under the first Trump Administration, the National
    Quantum Presidential Advisory Council included small business
    innovators, academics, and key government offices. In what ways can
    OSTP and Federal innovation policies support small businesses in the
    quantum sector to help maintain and advance American leadership in
    quantum technology?
        Answer. Federal policies can support small businesses in quantum
    and other emerging technology areas by increasing their access to
    Federal research and development funding and resources, removing
    unnecessary administrative burdens, and training the next generation of
    quantum scientists and innovators.

        Question 7. You played a key role in crafting the Trump
    Administration's original AI policies. These included the February 2019
    Executive Order on Maintaining American Leadership in Artificial
    Intelligence, which highlighted the ways that developing thoughtful
    Federal standards can help drive the widespread adoption of AI
    technologies throughout industry. The National Institute of Standards
    and Technology has already published the AI Risk Management Framework
    that has been embraced by industry, and NIST continues their work in
    this realm.
        If confirmed as OSTP Director, how do you plan to build on this
    work to advance standards for responsible AI research, development, and
    deployment?
        Answer. AI research and development will not lead to the adoption
    of AI systems if those systems do not have the trust of the American
    people. If confirmed, I will seek to develop additional technical
    standards for the development and deployment of AI systems and to issue
    non-regulatory guidance to improve public trust in AI systems.

        Question 8. How will you ensure that AI development in the U.S. is
    both innovative and secure, given the administration's emphasis on
    removing regulatory barriers?
        Answer. I do not believe there is an inherent tradeoff between
    advancing AI innovation and developing secure AI systems. If confirmed,
    I will ensure that Administration efforts to remove unnecessary
    barriers to innovation do so while maintaining the security standards
    needed for AI systems.

        Question 9. The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission
    submitted its annual report to Congress in November 2024. As part of
    the Commission's review, it found substantial evidence that the United
    States and China are fiercely competing in the subdomains of quantum
    sensing, quantum communications, and quantum computing. As you know,
    the Congress has to reauthorize the National Quantum Initiative Act to
    guide Federal R&D efforts, promote translation of quantum technologies
    to commercial applications, and invest in workforce training.
        If confirmed to lead OSTP, what is your specific plan to promote
    U.S. advancements in the specific fields of quantum sensing, quantum
    communications, and quantum computing?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will ensure that the quantum initiatives
    supported and coordinated by OSTP are aligned with the National
    Strategic Overview for Quantum Information Science and subsequent
    strategy documents on quantum sensing, communications, and networking
    authored by an interagency group of technical experts.

        Question 10. What recommendations would you provide Congress on how
    to strengthen and increase the resiliency of the quantum supply chain,
    including hardware?
        Answer. It is critically important that the United States maintains
    a secure, resilient quantum supply chain, including hardware in order
    to ensure continued American leadership in quantum information science.
    Doing so will require collaboration across stakeholders in industry,
    academia and Government to identify and fill gaps in technology,
    standards, and workforce.
                                     ______

    Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Lisa Blunt Rochester to

                                Michael Kratsios
        Question 1. Do you believe AI systems are biased? As Director of
    OSTP, would you focus resources and attention on the issue of bias in
    AI?
        Answer. AI systems can produce inconsistent results either due to
    structural deficiencies in system design or the use of unrepresentative
    datasets during training. Engineers of AI systems should ensure that
    the systems they develop are designed appropriately for their specific
    use case.

        Question 2. Do you believe AI literacy is important for Americans?
    How will you work to promote AI literacy?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will work towards equipping workers with
    the skills needed for AI-enabled job opportunities.

        Question 3. What role do you think OSTP should play in strategic
    planning and coordination to prepare the workforce for an economy that
    is increasingly impacted by AI?
        Answer. OSTP has an important role to play in coordination across
    the Federal government, academia, and private sector to ensure that our
    workforce is prepared for the jobs of the future, including AI and AI-
    enabled occupations.

        Question 4. Do you think OSTP has a role in promoting and advancing
    STEM education as a strategy to ensure that our country has sufficient
    technical talent to lead and compete with adversaries like China?
        Answer. Yes. If confirmed, I will support efforts to promote and
    advance STEM education to ensure that the United States has the
    sufficient technical talent to lead and compete with our adversaries
    and strategic competitors.

        Question 5. Delaware has a robust life science, biotechnology, and
    precision medicine ecosystem. What is your vision for promoting U.S.
    leadership in these areas and other strategic and emerging science and
    technologies?
        Answer. In general, for biotechnology as well as other emerging
    technology areas, I believe it is important to develop and implement
    strategies that support research and development, remove unnecessary
    barriers to innovation, promote workforce development in these sectors,
    and lead international development of standards and regulations.

        Question 6. Do you think biotechnology and life science should be
    represented on the President's Council of Advisors on Science and
    Technology?
        Answer. Yes.

        Question 7. What role do you see for OSTP in supporting
    entrepreneurship?
        Answer. OSTP has an important role to play in fostering an
    innovation ecosystem by supporting policies that empower startups and
    ``little tech,'' including ensuring their access to Federal resources
    and reducing barriers to technology development.

        Question 8. A top priority of mine is securing our supply chains. I
    have been working on a bipartisan basis with Ranking Member Cantwell
    and Senator Blackburn on legislation to promote supply chain
    resilience. In your past roles, you have been mainly focused on
    technologies like AI and quantum.
        Do you see a role for OSTP in helping secure our supply chains?
        Answer. Ensuring resilience in and securing our supply chains for
    emerging technologies is critically important. If confirmed, I look
    forward to supporting interagency efforts to secure our supply chains.

        Question 9. Over the last several years, OSTP has worked to advance
    climate and environmental justice priorities. Delaware is the lowest
    lying state in the Union, making us particularly vulnerable to rising
    sea levels and climate change.
        If confirmed as the President's top scientific advisor, would you
    advise dedicating technical resources to help improve climate
    resilience?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will support interagency efforts to
    coordinate with states so that they are adequately prepared to address
    natural disasters and severe weather.
                                     ______

         Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. John Thune to
                                  Mark Meador
        Question 1. Advanced artificial intelligence (A.I.) is a
    revolutionary technology that has the potential to improve health care,
    agriculture, logistics, supply chains, and countless other industries.
    How would you approach A.I. regulation to protect consumers, harness
    major advancement, and limit government intervention?
        I endorse the principles articulated by Vice President Vance in his
    February 11, 2025 remarks before the Paris AI Action Summit. If
    confirmed, I will work with Chairman Ferguson, my fellow commissioners,
    and FTC staff to protect competition within the AI space and ensure
    that consumers are not harmed by unfair or deceptive conduct that uses
    AI tools.

        Question 2. Will you commit to working with this committee on a
    light-touch, pro-innovation legislative framework for A.I.?
        Answer. Yes.

        Question 3. The Federal Trade Commission's section 6(b)
    investigative authority provides much needed transparency about data
    practices of large tech companies to consumers. What are your views on
    the FTC using this authority to provide transparency about some of the
    practices of the largest technology companies?
        Answer. The FTC's 6(b) authority is an incredibly valuable tool
    that allows the agency to better understand how markets operate,
    ensuring that its enforcement efforts are efficient and well-informed,
    and to provide expert guidance to Congress. If confirmed, I look
    forward to working with Chairman Ferguson, my fellow commissioners, and
    FTC staff to consider future uses of the agency's 6(b) authority that
    may inform its enforcement and assist legislators.
                                     ______

        Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Jerry Moran to
                                  Mark Meador
    1. Refocusing the Commission
        Mr. Meador, I have been concerned about the direction of the FTC
    over the past four years. During this time, the FTC has:

       pursued significant regulatory changes that encroach on
            Congress's legislative duties;

       departed from long-standing precedents guiding mergers and
            acquisitions policies that help create a pro-competition
            business environment in the US; and

       harmed the bipartisan work of the Commission by politicizing
            agency processes.

        These changes have impacted the FTC ability to perform their
    essential consumer protection functions and significantly harmed morale
    at the Commission.

       Mr. Meador, if confirmed, how do you plan to address the
            concerns I have laid out?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will work closely with Chairman Ferguson,
    my fellow commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure that the agency's
    enforcement efforts adhere to our statutory authorities, reflect sound
    law and policy, and advance the interests of the American people.
    2. Enforcement Approach
        The FTC has a dual mandate of promoting competition and protecting
    consumers. The previous administration's record of aggressive antitrust
    enforcement over-deterred mergers and acquisitions, resulting in a
    sudden and sharp decline in startup acquisitions by large companies,
    and an enormous drop in overall acquisitions of smaller startups, which
    detriments consumers by limiting access to products and services.
        For example, research shows that from mid-to-late 2021 through
    2024, antitrust authorities were pursuing a ``process is the
    punishment'' approach to antitrust enforcement. In Fiscal Year 2022
    alone, the FTC and DOJ Antitrust collectively filed at least 50 merger
    enforcement actions, the highest rate in two decades. As a result,
    acquiring startups virtually ceased. In the technology industry, from
    2011 and into early 2021, companies acquired more than a dozen startups
    every year. Yet, in 2022 and 2023, they collectively acquired just
    three startups per year. And in the first half of 2024, they
    collectively acquired zero startups.
        In fact, the exit valuations of all startups declined and the
    shutdown rate for startups increased massively. In the late 2010s, the
    median company exit multiple for tech startups was between 0.7 to 0.8-
    the median startup exit was an acquisition at a slight loss for venture
    capital investors. In 2023 and the first half of 2024, it was zero-
    meaning the median startup exit was no longer an acquisition, but a
    shutdown and total loss.

       Mr. Meador, can you share your philosophy on enforcement--
            how would you decide when to pursue litigation versus
            negotiation with companies?
        Answer. The FTC should be prepared to litigate any matter where it
    believes there has a been a violation of the law that has harmed
    consumers. In some cases, the most efficient and effective way to
    protect consumers will be to enter into a negotiated settlement with a
    defendant, known as a consent decree. The FTC should always remain open
    to consent decrees where they can effectively protect consumers from
    the harm at issue, but at the same time should be willing to litigate
    to a verdict where necessary.

       Do you agree that overly rigorous antitrust enforcement
            stunts the growth and success of innovative small businesses?
        Answer. Rigorous antitrust enforcement is essential to maintaining
    the competitive markets that promote innovation, entry by new
    competitors, and benefit consumers. Markets and consumers are harmed,
    however, by under-or overenforcement that strays from the law.

       Given the recognized importance of frontier technologies and
            long-term U.S. economic growth, innovation, and technological
            leadership, what steps will you take to provide clarity and
            predictability to antitrust enforcement to ensure that they
            continue to draw investment and innovation?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will work closely with Chairman Ferguson,
    my fellow commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure that we are providing
    all appropriate guidance to the business community regarding the
    agency's enforcement policies.

       Will you commit to antitrust enforcement that will focus on
            the interest of consumers and will not have a negative impact
            on consumer prices and small businesses?
        Answer. Ensuring that antitrust enforcement benefits consumers and
    competition should always be at the forefront of every enforcement
    decision.

       What steps will you take to remove regulatory taxes that
            your agency placed on businesses during the last
            administration?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will work closely with Chairman Ferguson,
    my fellow commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure that the agency is not
    imposing any unnecessary burdens on parties appearing before the
    Commission. The FTC should protect competition and consumers by
    enforcing the laws written by Congress, not by abusing administrative
    processes.

       Will you reimplement guidance to help businesses ensure that
            they are complying with the antitrust laws and avoid the risk
            of an investigation?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will work with Chairman Ferguson, my fellow
    commissioners, and FTC staff to fully and fairly enforce each of the
    laws that Congress has given the agency to execute.
        Those enforcement efforts should follow the text of the relevant
    statutes, and priority should be given to matters that present the
    greatest risk to American consumers.
    3. Challenges to U.S. Trade Leadership
        Over-enforcement and ex-ante digital regulatory experiments in
    Europe, like the Digital Markets Act, have already resulted in initial
    harms to consumers and businesses. We have also seen that innovative
    companies have delayed or halted launches of new products entirely in
    the EU. For example, Apple and Meta have delayed the launch of certain
    AI services in Europe as a result of the increased regulatory burdens
    imposed by the DMA.
        President Trump recently criticized Europe for its regulatory
    approach, exemplified by the DMA, that is unfairly targeting U.S. tech
    firms. This type of regulatory overreach risks undermining the
    transatlantic cooperation that has helped to ensure the United States
    and our allies lead in the global technology race. China is also
    targeting U.S. tech companies, using antitrust as a tool to undermine
    America's technology leadership.

       Mr. Meador, how would you work to counterbalance these
            challenges to American leadership?
        Answer. American law enforcers and regulators should always put
    America first. If confirmed, I will work closely with Chairman
    Ferguson, my fellow commissioners, and FTC staff to advance the
    interests of the American people.

       What role can your agency play in preventing these
            regulatory regimes from spreading to additional countries?
        Answer. The FTC should focus on enforcing American laws, to protect
    American consumers. Precious taxpayer resources should never be spent
    on helping other nations regulate American companies. If confirmed, I
    will work with Chairman Ferguson, my fellow commissioners, and FTC
    staff to ensure that the FTC is focused on putting America first.

       Will you distinguish yourself from the prior administration
            on the way the agency worked with USTR on promoting innovation
            and competition abroad by standing up for American companies in
            multilateral fora?
        Answer. It is paramount that all Executive Branch agencies put
    America first. If confirmed, I will work with Chairman Ferguson, my
    fellow commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure the agency follows this
    approach.
    4. Competition in General
        American leadership across all industries, particularly in digital
    markets, is being challenged by regulatory regimes worldwide that are
    intent on picking winners and losers. These experimental regulatory
    regimes, like the European Union's Digital Markets Act, penalize
    businesses and consumers alike through higher costs and may result in
    reduced innovation.
        U.S. antitrust enforcers should carefully consider how overly
    burdensome rules and regulations can stifle innovation and
    entrepreneurialism. Robust competition that prioritizes benefits to
    consumers, rather than competitors, is fundamental to ensure America's
    continued global leadership in dynamic and innovative markets.
        The U.S. is the leading global exporter of innovative new
    technology, and home to many start-ups and small businesses,
    particularly in the tech sector. These startups, which have been
    paramount in advancing the technological leadership of the U.S., rely
    heavily on mergers to support their products getting into consumers'
    hands and to continue to attract essential early-stage investment.
    Likewise, the focus on consumer welfare has been the foundation of our
    antitrust analysis for decades, and with it, the U.S. has led the world
    with a highly competitive and innovative technology industry.

       Mr. Meador, what steps will you take to ensure that
            enforcement of the antitrust laws does not stifle innovation
            and reduce consumer benefits?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will work closely with Chairman Ferguson,
    my fellow commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure that all agency
    enforcement actions are undertaken to promote the welfare of consumers.

       Will you commit to reviving the consumer welfare standard as
            the agency's guiding principle?
        Answer. The welfare of consumers must always be the north star of
    antitrust enforcement. If confirmed, I will work closely with Chairman
    Ferguson, my fellow commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure that all
    agency enforcement actions are undertaken to promote the welfare of
    consumers.

       Will you commit to ensuring that your agency will use its
            taxpayer-funded resources to pursue cases only when they risk
            harm to consumers?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will work closely with Chairman Ferguson,
    my fellow commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure that all agency
    enforcement actions are undertaken to promote the welfare of consumers.

       What policies and guidelines should be prioritized to ensure
            that antitrust enforcement in the U.S. does not impede
            innovation and consumer benefits?
        Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to consulting with Chairman
    Ferguson, my fellow commissioners, and FTC staff to evaluate all
    ongoing enforcement efforts to determine what steps we can take to best
    protect innovation and consumers.

       In recent years we have also seen increased international
            regulatory and enforcement scrutiny against merger activity by
            predominantly U.S. firms, particularly in digital markets. As
            international competition enforcers increase their focus on
            American tech firms, what steps can be taken to preserve
            America's global competitive advantage in these areas?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will work closely with Chairman Ferguson,
    my fellow commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure that all agency
    enforcement actions are consistent with our statutory authority and in
    the interests of consumers.
    5. Regulations
        Many have raised concerns about the changes to the new HSR
    premerger notification rules and their disparate negative impact on
    small businesses and start-ups. These rules will considerably increase
    costs and time to prepare for a merger notification. While larger
    companies can afford to comply with the extra document procurement and
    work hours, small businesses and start-ups will likely struggle to meet
    the increased demands. The new rules have also been challenged in court
    for violating the Administrative Procedures Act as being unnecessary
    and overly burdensome.
        With the final rule for the HSR premerger notification form now in
    effect, it will also expand the scope of documents required to be
    submitted, and increase the time for merging parties to prepare for a
    filing by up to 121 additional hours per filing according to the FTC--a
    number that many companies that actually prepare these filings suggest
    is too low--increasing the time and resources needed for the Agencies
    to review these proposed deals.
        The new HSR rules result in a substantial amount of additional
    information being produced to the agencies and will require additional
    time by staff to review these filings. The FTC opened an investigation
    into 2 percent of mergers for which it received an HSR in 2024 and
    issued Second Requests to fewer than that.

       Mr. Meador, given that over 95 percent of notified merger
            transactions do not present a competitive risk, is this the
            best use of the Agency's resources?

       Will you commit to repealing the new HSR rules, and to work
            with the FTC to restart the rulemaking process in order to
            adopt a new rule that does not negatively impact merger
            activity?
        Answer. While I cannot prejudge any matter that may come before me
    as a Commissioner, if confirmed I will work closely with Chairman
    Ferguson, my fellow commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure that the
    agency's merger review process is both efficient and effective.
    6. Data Privacy
        In previous Congresses, I have sponsored legislation establishing a
    strong Federal data privacy standard for Americans that also provides
    certainty to businesses that collect and process consumer data.
        I believe it is important for Americans to control how their data
    is collected and used by companies, and I think there is a growing
    national security argument for a strong Federal standard for data
    privacy and security. The situation with TikTok and recent large-scale
    cyberattacks have shown how dire the situation for consumer data is in
    this country.

       Mr. Meador, do you agree that a Federal data privacy and
            security law is needed to protect Americans' data?

       If directed by the law, do you believe the FTC would be able
            to enforce such a standard, assuming appropriate guidelines are
            in place to prevent overreach by the Commission?
        Answer. Protecting Americans' data is incredibly important. If
    confirmed, I look forward to working with you and your office--as well
    as Chairman Ferguson, my fellow commissioners, and FTC staff--to ensure
    the FTC has all of the tools it needs to protect American consumers and
    enforce the laws written by Congress.
    7. Artificial Intelligence/DeepSeek
        DeepSeek's emergence in the AI race has sparked concerns over the
    United States' ability to maintain its lead in this critical
    technology. In remarks on January 30, 2025, FTC Commissioner Melissa
    Holyoak argued that ``we must avoid slowing innovation in artificial
    intelligence through misguided enforcement actions.'' She went on to
    observe that ``[w]e have a vested interest in keeping America first
    when it comes to AI technology.''

       Mr. Meador, do you agree with Commissioner Holyoak on the
            importance of encouraging innovation and keeping America first
            when it comes to AI?
        Answer. Innovation is incredibly important, and America must be the
    leader in AI.
    8. Elder Fraud/Stop Senior Scams Act
        In 2023, individuals aged 60 and older reported losses exceeding
    $3.4 billion due to scams, marking an 11 percent increase from the
    previous year.
        In 2022, Congress passed the Stop Senior Scams Act, a bill that I
    introduced with Senator Casey. This law tasks the FTC with setting up
    an advisory group focused on senior scams and aims to enhance
    coordination between the Federal government, businesses, and consumer
    advocacy groups to protect seniors from scams.

       Mr. Meador, considering that older Americans face
            disproportionate financial losses from scams--with estimates of
            billions lost and significant underreporting--what concrete
            initiatives or policy changes do you plan to champion at the
            FTC to strengthen enforcement and improve outreach to protect
            our vulnerable seniors from these sophisticated fraud schemes?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will consult with Chairman Ferguson, my
    fellow commissioners, and FTC staff to get up to speed on the agency's
    current enforcement efforts in this area and ensure that we are doing
    everything we can to protect American consumers.
    9. Future Consumer Protection Issues
       Mr. Meador, what consumer protection challenges do you
            believe the FTC should address in the coming years? How does
            the rise of new technologies, including artificial
            intelligence, influence the focus of the FTC?
        Answer. As I observed in my opening remarks, ``One of the FTC's
    most important missions in the years to come will be using its consumer
    protection authority to safeguard families from those seeking to take
    advantage of the most vulnerable.'' Protecting our children is of the
    utmost importance, especially as attempts to take advantage of them are
    turbocharged by AI.
                                     ______

        Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Dan Sullivan to
                                  Mark Meador
        Question 1. The antitrust statutes are famously brief. They don't
    say ``big is bad,'' nor that all mergers are bad. However, the focus on
    consumer welfare has been the foundation of our antitrust analysis for
    decades. From mid-to-late 2021 through 2024, antitrust authorities were
    pursuing a ``process is the punishment'' approach to antitrust
    enforcement. In Fiscal Year 2022 alone, the FTC and DOJ Antitrust
    collectively filed at least 50 merger enforcement actions, the highest
    rate in two decades.
        These actions ran the gambit from providing a chilling effect on
    innovation, resulting in a sudden and sharp decline in tech startup
    acquisitions by large companies, to also focusing on the necessary
    actions to monitor consumer welfare, such as the Albertsons-Kroger
    merger which would have had unique impacts on Alaska.
        Alaskans were concerned about how this now cancelled merger would
    affect consumer prices, the state's food security, and Alaskan
    employees and their union contracts. The FTC found that the merger
    would likely reduce competition and raise prices--putting further
    strain on working families in our state

       The FTC must strike a balance as it uses its taxpayer-funded
            resources to pursue cases only when they risk harm to
            consumers, and not stifle innovation and consumer benefits.
            What steps will you take to ensure that enforcement of the
            antitrust laws does not stifle innovation and reduce consumer
            benefits?

       What do you think is the appropriate goal of antitrust
            enforcement?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will work with Chairman Ferguson, my fellow
    commissioners, and FTC staff to fully and fairly enforce each of the
    laws that Congress has given the agency to execute. Those enforcement
    efforts should follow the text of the relevant statutes, and priority
    should be given to matters that present the greatest risk to American
    consumers.

        Question 2. The public and U.S. markets have historically benefited
    from FTC's role to protect the public from deceptive or unfair business
    practices and from unfair methods of competition.
        Under the last Administration, Chair Lina Khan chose to use the FTC
    to score political wins, through costly, unwinnable litigation based on
    dubious legal theories, and through expansive, burdensome, and overly
    prescriptive rulemaking.

       If confirmed as Commissioner, how will you prioritize what
            rulemakings need to be rescinded, and which litigation should
            be dismissed?
        Answer. While I cannot prejudge any matter that may come before me
    as a Commissioner, if confirmed I will work closely with Chairman
    Ferguson, my fellow commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure that any FTC
    rulemakings or enforcement actions are based on clear statutory
    authority and in the interests of American consumers.

        Question 3. The geopolitical threat China poses is acute when it
    comes to high technology. Whether it's national security or economic
    security, America must remain ahead of China in developing and
    deploying cutting-edge technologies.

       How should the threat posed by China be incorporated in
            antitrust analysis, so that we ensure American consumers
            benefit from competition, while our leading U.S. tech companies
            are globally competitive against foreign rivals?

       Given the recognized importance of frontier technologies and
            long-term U.S. economic growth, innovation, and technological
            leadership, what steps will you take to provide clarity and
            predictability to antitrust enforcement to ensure that they
            continue to draw investment and innovation?
        Answer. American antitrust enforcers must ensure that foreign firms
    are not violating our antitrust laws to gain an unfair advantage over
    American companies. They must also ensure that American markets remain
    competitive so that our free-market economy continues to lead in
    technological innovation and development.
                                     ______

        Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. John Curtis to
                                  Mark Meador
        Question 1. Last fall, a week after election day, the Biden
    Administration's Federal Trade Commission (FTC), issued final
    amendments to the Negative Option rule. Utahns are concerned that the
    Negative Option rule will not only harm our country's growing
    subscriptions economy, but that it will curb innovation and impose
    unnecessarily stringent requirements on legitimate American businesses,
    all to the detriment of consumers.
        Many companies impacted by the Negative Option Rule have best
    practices around their subscription-based services so that their
    customers have an experience that is transparent and flexible to meet
    their needs and budgets. In her dissent to this rule, FTC Commissioner
    Holyoak noted, ``the Rule's breadth incentivizes companies to avoid
    negative option features that honest businesses and consumers find
    valuable'' and that ``even honest businesses will have reason to
    reconsider the use of negative option billing now that it means
    subjecting themselves to potential civil penalties for misreading
    Commission tea leaves.'' She also notes that parts of the rule
    ``ultimately, may harm consumers.''

       Mr. Meador, do you agree with Commissioner Holyoak's
            statements? Why?
        Answer. While I cannot prejudge any matter that may come before me
    as a Commissioner, if confirmed I will work closely with Chairman
    Ferguson, my fellow commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure that any
    agency rulemakings are based on clear statutory authority and in the
    interests of American consumers.

        Question 2. Another item of concern for me on the Negative Option
    Rulemaking was its failure to follow proper procedure in finalizing the
    rule. Again, looking to Commissioner Holyoak's dissent, she notes that,
    for multiple reasons she is ``convinced that this rulemaking has failed
    to satisfy [the FTC Act] Section 18's requirements for rulemaking.'' It
    is crucial to me and the people of my state that our Federal Government
    is not side stepping the official rule making process in releasing
    regulation, such as this one.

       As an FTC Commissioner, will you work to ensure that the FTC
            will not take short cuts in its rule making process in the
            future?
        Answer. Yes.
                                     ______

       Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Maria Cantwell to
                                  Mark Meador
        FTC Independence. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) was designed
    to be an independent, bipartisan Commission. As a result, FTC
    Commissioners often disagree on issues before them and frequently issue
    dissents on matters when they are in the minority. And thanks to the
    for-cause removal protections Congress provided in the FTC Act, these
    expert Commissioners have traditionally been free to vote their
    conscience on matters before the Commission using their independent
    judgment and expertise about whether the FTC laws have been violated
    and should be enforced.

        Question 1. Mr. Meador, do you believe that having a bipartisan
    group of Commissioners strengthens the FTC?
        Answer. The FTC has a strong tradition of consensus-building. If
    confirmed, I look forward to continuing that practice.

        Question 2. Do you believe it is important for Commissioners to be
    able to issue dissents--without fear of being removed by the President?
        Answer. I believe it is important that the Executive Branch be
    accountable to the American people through the President that they
    elect.

        Question 3. Do you think a Commissioner should ever be fired for
    issuing a dissent?
        Answer. I will defer to the President on personnel matters within
    the Executive Branch.

        Following the law. In an interview with my staff, you affirmed that
    you knew that the oath you would take as an FTC Commissioner is to
    uphold the Constitution, and that it is not an oath of loyalty to the
    President. However, when Senator Duckworth asked at your nomination
    hearing if you would commit not to carrying out an illegal order by the
    president, you declined three times to make that commitment. That is
    deeply concerning.

        Question 4. If the president ordered you to do something illegal,
    would you refuse?
        Answer. I do not believe that such a situation would actually
    occur, but I would uphold my oath to defend the Constitution.

        Question 5. Do you believe the Executive Branch must comply with
    the law?
        Answer. The FTC must enforce all duly enacted laws that Congress
    gives it to enforce, and must follow all laws to which it is subject.

        Question 6. Do you believe the Executive Branch must comply with
    lawful court orders?
        Answer. Subject to the right to appeal, parties that appear before
    a court of lawful jurisdiction are bound by the decisions of that
    court.

        Information Privacy and Confidentiality. The FTC regularly handles
    sensitive information about consumers and confidential business
    information, including information that could be highly valuable to
    competitors and investors, such as merger filings before the mergers
    are made public.

        Question 7. Can you commit to keeping information at the FTC
    confidential under the privacy laws governing this information?
        Answer. I will follow all applicable laws, including the
    confidentiality restrictions applicable to the FTC.

        Question 8. Can you confirm that includes keeping information
    confidential where required under the relevant privacy laws from the
    so-called Department of Government Efficiency, Elon Musk, and his
    affiliates, which is especially important given the sensitive
    information the FTC may hold about Musk's competitors?
        Answer. I will follow all applicable laws, including the
    confidentiality restrictions applicable to the FTC.

        Privacy and online safety. Americans are becoming more and more
    reliant on technology, and privacy and data security couldn't be more
    important.

        Question 9. Do you believe the FTC has sufficient authority and
    resources to protect American's privacy and online safety?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will work closely with you and your office
    and with Chairman Ferguson, my fellow commissioners, and FTC staff to
    ensure that we are doing everything we can to protect Americans'
    privacy and online safety.

        Question 10. Would you support a comprehensive Federal privacy law
    that gives individuals a privacy right that they can enforce in court?
        Answer. I defer to Congress on the best way to update the law to
    protect Americans' privacy. If confirmed, I will work closely with you
    and your office and with Chairman Ferguson, my fellow commissioners,
    and FTC staff to ensure that we are doing everything we can to protect
    Americans' privacy and online safety.

        Question 11. If no, why not?
        Answer. See above.

        Protecting Renters and Homeowners. The FTC's mission is to protect
    consumers and promote competition. In the housing market, a lack of
    competition and transparency can hurt both renters and buyers. The FTC
    recently took action against a large landlord of single-family homes
    for deceptive and unfair practices including charging hidden fees to
    tenants and withholding security deposits.

        Question 13. What additional actions do you believe the FTC should
    be taking to protect competition and prevent unfair and deceptive
    practices in markets for rental housing and home ownership, including
    extending its Junk Fees Rule to long-term rental housing, examining
    private listing networks, policing algorithmic price fixing, and any
    additional actions you believe the FTC should prioritize?
        Answer. Protecting competition in the housing market to help keep
    housing affordable is of critical importance. While I cannot prejudge
    any matter that may appear before me as a Commissioner, if confirmed I
    will work closely with Chairman Ferguson, my fellow commissioners, and
    FTC staff to ensure that we do everything we can to protect competition
    in this space.

        13(b). For 40 years prior to the AMG decision in 2021, if a
    business unlawfully took money from consumers, the FTC could go to
    court with its 13(b) authority and force the business to give it back
    to consumers. From 2016 to 2020, the FTC returned over $33 million to
    consumers in Washington state, benefiting over 220,000 people. And
    that's just one state.
        At your nomination hearing, you stated that you ``think it's
    incredibly important that the Federal Trade Commission have the ability
    to return money to consumers who have been harmed.''

        Question 14. Do you support restoration of the FTC's 13(b)
    authority to order refunds for consumers in consumer protection and
    competition cases?
        Answer. While I ultimately defer to Congress on how best to enable
    the FTC to obtain monetary redress for consumers, if confirmed I will
    work closely with you and your office and with Chairman Ferguson, my
    fellow commissioners, and FTC staff to provide guidance on this
    question based on the FTC's enforcement experience and expertise.

        Question 15. What limits, if any, would you advise Congress to
    place on the FTC's ability to get consumer refunds?
        Answer. See above.
                                     ______

       Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Amy Klobuchar to
                                  Mark Meador
        Question 1. It only takes a few seconds of audio to clone a voice
    using artificial intelligence (AI), and criminals can pull the sample
    from public sources like social media. As a result, AI-enabled scams
    are becoming far too common. We need to make sure our consumer
    protection enforcers are prepared to respond to the growing threat of
    voice cloning scams.

       If confirmed, what will you do to help combat deceptive
            practices facilitated by AI technologies?
        Answer. It is incredibly important that the FTC be vigilant in
    protecting consumers from deceptive practices turbocharged by AI. If
    confirmed, I will work closely with Chairman Ferguson, my fellow
    commissioners, and FTC staff to assess the agency's current enforcement
    tools and resources to ensure that we are doing everything we can to
    protect American consumers.

        Question 2. The Federal Trade Commission recently issued a Staff
    Report on artificial intelligence (AI) partnerships and investments by
    large technology companies.

       Do you share any of the concerns outlined in the report?

       If confirmed, what role do you believe the Federal Trade
            Commission should play in ensuring markets within the AI
            technology stack are competitive?

       Are there areas related to AI that you believe merit further
            investigation by the Federal Trade Commission?
        Answer. It is essential to ensuring America's leadership in AI that
    the FTC do everything it can to protect competition in AI markets,
    whether through merger review or policing anticompetitive conduct.

        Question 3. Last September, I wrote to the Federal Trade Commission
    to raise concerns with the Federal Trade Commission that some large
    language models take content from creators without compensation, such
    as local journalists, to create artificial intelligence (AI) systems
    that compete directly with those creators.

       Do you agree that using one's content without compensation
            or permission to create products that compete directly against
            that content creator could be an unfair method of competition
            or a deceptive act or practice?
        Answer. While I cannot prejudge any matter that may appear before
    me as a Commissioner, if confirmed I will work closely with Chairman
    Ferguson, my fellow commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure that the
    agency is doing everything it can to protect consumers and competitors
    from anticompetitive and unfair or deceptive conduct in AI markets.

        Question 4. There have been legislative proposals to remove the
    Federal Trade Commission (FTC)'s authority to enforce competition laws
    by moving the Bureau of Competition to the Justice Department, which I
    believe would undermine enforcement efforts.

       As a Commissioner, would you oppose any efforts to dismantle
            the FTC's Bureau of Competition and gut the FTC's authority to
            root out ``unfair methods of competition'' on behalf of
            consumers and small businesses?

       Do you agree that such a proposal could only be done through
            legislation and not by Executive Order?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will defer to Congress and the President
    regarding any proposal to restructure our antitrust enforcement
    efforts.
                                     ______

        Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Brian Schatz to
                                  Mark Meador
        On February 18, 2025, President Trump announced an Executive Order
    (EO) entitled, ``Ensuring Accountability for All Agencies.'' The EO
    institutes an unprecedented requirement for direct presidential
    oversight over actions and strategic plans by independent agencies,
    including the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

        Question 1. As Commissioner, will you commit to upholding the
    independence of decision making at the FTC?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will serve the American people by working
    to advance the agenda of the President they elected.

        AI-generated scams, impersonations, voice-cloning, and deepfakes
    can lead to financial losses and privacy violations for consumers,
    especially for vulnerable populations such as senior citizens.

        Question 2. What do you believe is the role of the FTC in ensuring
    that consumers are protected from AI-generated scams and fraud?
        The FTC should ensure that it is fully and fairly enforcing its
    existing statutory authorities to protect consumers from all forms of
    fraud.

        Question 3. Will you commit to ensuring that the FTC takes adequate
    enforcement actions to protect consumers from AI-generated scams and
    fraud?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will work with Chairman Ferguson, my fellow
    commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure that the agency is doing
    everything it can to protect American consumers.

        In your testimony, you noted the ongoing affordability crisis and
    the importance of the FTC in protecting consumers from predatory
    practices.

        Question 4. Will you commit to protecting FTC rules that would
    lower consumer costs and provide improved transparency to consumers
    about unexpected financial charges, such as the ``Click-to-Cancel''
    rule?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will work with Chairman Ferguson, my fellow
    commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure that the agency is doing
    everything it can to protect American consumers.

        The FTC develops public-facing consumer advice, including resources
    about how to best protect kids online.

        Question 5. Will you commit to ensuring that the FTC continues to
    develop and, as needed, update resources related to kids' online
    safety?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will work with Chairman Ferguson, my fellow
    commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure that the agency is doing
    everything it can to protect kids online.
                                     ______

       Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Edward Markey to
                                  Mark Meador
        Question 1. Over the past years the Federal Trade Commission has
    required companies to delete their algorithms created with improperly
    obtained data. Do you support the Commission using this practice as a
    way to address improper data collection?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will work with Chairman Ferguson, my fellow
    commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure that all remedies in FTC matters
    are both effective and appropriate.

        Question 2. Do you believe that bias and discriminatory artificial
    intelligence is a problem?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will work with Chairman Ferguson, my fellow
    commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure we are doing everything we can
    to protect American consumers and promote a vibrant and competitive AI
    ecosystem.

        Question 3. If confirmed, what is your plan to address biased and
    discriminatory artificial intelligence, especially in critical areas
    such as health care, education, employment, and criminal justice?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will work with Chairman Ferguson, my fellow
    commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure we are doing everything we can
    to protect American consumers and promote a vibrant and competitive AI
    ecosystem.

        Question 4. Do you believe that companies have an obligation to
    test, address, or measure its algorithms before deployment in order to
    determine whether it discriminates or is biased against protected
    characteristics?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will work with Chairman Ferguson, my fellow
    commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure we are doing everything we can
    to protect American consumers and promote a vibrant and competitive AI
    ecosystem.

        Question 5. Do you believe that companies have an obligation to
    monitor its algorithms after deployment in order to determine whether
    it discriminates or is biased against protected characteristics?
        Answer. While I cannot prejudge any matter that may come before me
    as a Commissioner, if confirmed, I will work with Chairman Ferguson, my
    fellow commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure we are doing everything
    we can to protect American consumers and promote a vibrant and
    competitive AI ecosystem.

        Question 6. If confirmed, what is your plan to address companies
    that market and sell AI in a way that is misleading to the public?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will work with Chairman Ferguson, my fellow
    commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure we are doing everything we can
    to protect American consumers and promote a vibrant and competitive AI
    ecosystem.

        Question 7. Do you believe it is within the Commission's
    jurisdiction to investigate and address algorithmic discrimination?
        Answer. The FTC has the duty to prevent unfair methods of
    competition and prevent unfair or deceptive trade practices, including
    in AI markets.

        Question 8. Do you believe that companies that use facial
    recognition technologies have an obligation to consider and mitigate
    risks related to misidentification of individuals, especially related
    to protected characteristics?
        Answer. While I cannot prejudge any matter that may come before me
    as a Commissioner, if confirmed, I will work with Chairman Ferguson, my
    fellow commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure we are doing everything
    we can to protect American consumers and promote a vibrant and
    competitive AI ecosystem.

        Question 9. Do you believe that companies have an obligation to
    test, assess, measure, document, or inquire about the accuracy of its
    facial recognition tools before deployment, including seeking
    information from the vendor the technology was procured?
        Answer. While I cannot prejudge any matter that may come before me
    as a Commissioner, if confirmed, I will work with Chairman Ferguson, my
    fellow commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure we are doing everything
    we can to protect American consumers and promote a vibrant and
    competitive AI ecosystem.

        Question 10. Do you believe that companies have an obligation to
    regularly monitor or test the accuracy of its facial recognition tool
    after its deployment?
        Answer. While I cannot prejudge any matter that may come before me
    as a Commissioner, if confirmed, I will work with Chairman Ferguson, my
    fellow commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure we are doing everything
    we can to protect American consumers and promote a vibrant and
    competitive AI ecosystem.

        Question 11. Do you believe that companies have an obligation to
    adequately train employees tasked with operating facial recognition
    tools around the generation of false positives and bad matches?
        Answer. While I cannot prejudge any matter that may come before me
    as a Commissioner, if confirmed, I will work with Chairman Ferguson, my
    fellow commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure we are doing everything
    we can to protect American consumers and promote a vibrant and
    competitive AI ecosystem.

        Question 12. If confirmed, do you believe you serve the American
    people or President Trump?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will serve the American people by working
    to advance the agenda of the President they elected.

        Question 13. FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson has indicated that
    independent agency leadership should ``answer to the President,'' and
    the Trump administration has asserted the same in a recent executive
    order. Do you agree?
        Answer. I believe it is important that the Executive Branch be
    accountable to the American people through the President that they
    elect.

        Question 14. Do you believe that FTC commissioners should exercise
    independent judgement or defer to the preferences of the White House?
        Answer. I believe it is important that the Executive Branch be
    accountable to the American people through the President that they
    elect.

        Question 15. FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson has indicated that he
    will prioritize prosecuting companies who have adopted diversity,
    equity, and inclusion policies. Do you agree with this priority?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will work with Chairman Ferguson, my fellow
    commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure that the FTC is fully enforcing
    all of its statutory authorities to protect American consumers from any
    harm prohibited by those laws.

        Question 16. Chairman Ferguson has said he will prioritize
    investigating and prosecuting companies who choose not to advertise on
    certain platforms. Do you agree with this priority?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will work with Chairman Ferguson, my fellow
    commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure that the FTC is fully enforcing
    all of its statutory authorities to protect American consumers from any
    harm prohibited by those laws.

        Question 17. Chairman Ferguson has pledged to wield the FTC's
    investigative authority to, quote, ``fight back against the trans
    agenda'' and investigate doctors and hospitals who provide treatment to
    transgender patients of all ages. Do you think this is a proper use of
    the FTC's authority?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will work with Chairman Ferguson, my fellow
    commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure that the FTC is fully enforcing
    all of its statutory authorities to protect American consumers from any
    harm prohibited by those laws.

        Question 18. FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson announced a new policy
    this month that would prohibit FTC political appointees from holding
    leadership roles in the American Bar Association, participating in ABA
    events, or renewing their ABA memberships. Do you agree with this
    policy?
        Answer. Yes.

        Question 19. If confirmed, do you plan on remaining a member of the
    American Bar Association?
        Answer. No.

        Question 20. Modern modes of transportation, especially cars,
    collect, use, and share many types of sensitive information, such as
    location, photos, audio, and video recordings. In many instances, this
    collection and use of this information is not disclosed to the driver
    and passengers of a vehicle.
        Last year, I called upon the Federal Trade Commission to
    investigate these invasive and deceptive data collection practices. If
    confirmed, will you commit to looking into this issue to protect
    consumer privacy?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will work with Chairman Ferguson, my fellow
    commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure that the agency is doing
    everything it can to protect Americans' privacy.

        Question 21. During the last administration the Commission held
    regular open meetings, which drove public engagement to record levels.
    If confirmed, would you support resuming these open meetings?
        Answer. I will defer to Chairman Ferguson on scheduling Commission
    meetings.

        Question 22. Please describe your plans on how you plan on ensuring
    the Commission is hearing directly and proactively reaching out to
    consumers, workers, business owners, technological experts, impacted
    communities, and other stakeholders?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will work with Chairman Ferguson, my fellow
    commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure that the agency is hearing from
    all relevant stakeholders as it carries out its statutory obligations.

        Question 23. Do you believe it is constitutional to ban children
    and/or teens from social media?
        Answer. While I cannot prejudge any matter that may come before me
    as a Commissioner, if confirmed, I will work with Chairman Ferguson, my
    fellow commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure we are doing everything
    we can to protect children.

        Question 24. Do you believe that a social media platform's
    algorithmic ranking of content constitutes the speech of the platform?
        Answer. While I cannot prejudge any matter that may come before me
    as a Commissioner, if confirmed, I will work with Chairman Ferguson, my
    fellow commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure we are doing everything
    we can to protect American consumers.

        Question 25. Do you believe that a social media platform's content
    moderation decisions constitute the speech of the platform?
        Answer. While I cannot prejudge any matter that may come before me
    as a Commissioner, if confirmed, I will work with Chairman Ferguson, my
    fellow commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure we are doing everything
    we can to protect American consumers.

        Question 26. Do you believe that private communications between
    employees of the Federal government and social media platforms related
    to content moderation decisions or rules and the algorithmic ranking of
    content can violate the rights of the platform's users? If so, please
    describe the circumstances and/or conditions under which those
    communications would be unconstitutional?
        Answer. While I cannot prejudge any matter that may come before me
    as a Commissioner, if confirmed, I will work with Chairman Ferguson, my
    fellow commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure we are doing everything
    we can to protect American consumers.

        Question 27. Do you believe that formal actions by Federal agencies
    to investigate the content moderation decisions or rules or algorithmic
    ranking of content on social media platforms could be unconstitutional?
    If so, please describe the circumstances and/or conditions under which
    those actions would be unconstitutional?
        Answer. While I cannot prejudge any matter that may come before me
    as a Commissioner, if confirmed, I will work with Chairman Ferguson, my
    fellow commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure we are doing everything
    we can to protect American consumers.

        Question 28. Do you believe that the public statements of an FTC
    commissioner around the content moderation decisions or rules or
    algorithmic ranking of content on social media platforms could be
    unconstitutional? If so, please describe the circumstances and/or
    conditions under which those statements would be unconstitutional?
        Answer. While I cannot prejudge any matter that may come before me
    as a Commissioner, if confirmed, I will work with Chairman Ferguson, my
    fellow commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure we are doing everything
    we can to protect American consumers.

        Question 29. What concerns do you have related to the
    financialization of the health care sector?
        Answer. Having a competitive health care sector is of critical
    importance to all Americans, and is an enforcement priority I have been
    focused on my entire career. While I cannot prejudge any matter that
    may come before me as a Commissioner, if confirmed, I will work with
    Chairman Ferguson, my fellow commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure we
    are doing everything we can to protect competition within the health
    care industry.

        Question 30. What steps would you take to regulate private equity
    in the health care sector?
        Answer. Please see my response to question 29.

        Question 31. What additional measures would you take to increase
    transparency in health care ownership provider (nursing homes,
    hospitals, etc.) as it relates to private equity?
        Answer. Please see my response to question 29.

        Question 32. To what extent should private equity firms be held
    responsible for decisions that undermine health care safety, quality,
    and access?
        Answer. Please see my response to question 29.

        Question 33. What reforms do you plan to pursue related to hospital
    consolidation?
        Answer. Please see my response to question 29.

        Question 34. How would you address private equity's health care
    market consolidation through smaller transactions that often evade FTC
    enforcement?
        Answer. Please see my response to question 29.

        Question 35. What plans do you have to address private equity's
    practices that create significant debt or financial distress among the
    entities it purchases (for example, selling hospital or nursing home
    real estate to real estate investment trusts and requiring hospitals
    pay untenable lease payments)?
        Answer. While I cannot prejudge any matter that may come before me
    as a Commissioner, if confirmed, I will work with Chairman Ferguson, my
    fellow commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure we are doing everything
    we can to protect competition.

        Question 36. Will you work with the Department of Justice,
    Department of Treasury, Department of Health and Human Services, and
    the Department of Labor on matters related to the role of private
    equity in health care?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will work with Chairman Ferguson, my fellow
    commissioners, and FTC staff to coordinate our enforcement efforts with
    all appropriate stakeholders, including any relevant part of the
    Executive Branch.
                                     ______

     Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. John Hickenlooper to
                                  Mark Meador
        Data is a key driver of a 21st century economy. The average
    American household has at least 17 internet-connected devices,
    including TVs, smart assistants, and phones. Each internet-connected
    device uses and relies on data. Today, 20 states (including Colorado)
    have a statewide privacy law. Among these state laws, each has a
    different definition for what counts as ``sensitive data.'' Some
    examples include data that reveal biometrics, religious beliefs, or
    affiliations with various organizations.

        Question 1. In order to establish a consistent definition for the
    kinds of data that companies should be expected to protect, what do you
    believe the definition of ``sensitive data'' should include?
        Answer. The definition of ``sensitive data'' in proposed
    legislation is a policy question best left to Congress, and I will
    defer to the decision reached by Congress on this important matter. If
    confirmed, I look forward to working with you and your staff as well as
    Chairman Ferguson, my fellow commissioners, and FTC staff to provide
    guidance and feedback where helpful.

        Question 2. While some consumers may not be aware of the lack of a
    Federal privacy law, most are painfully aware of when their data is
    part of a data breach. As data breaches increase, we must take every
    measure to give consumers control over what businesses do with their
    data.
        What kinds of transparency rules should data brokers be subject to?
    Should data brokers be required to disclose themselves in a public
    registry?
        Answer. Protecting Americans' privacy is incredibly important.
    While I cannot prejudge any matter that may come before as a
    Commissioner, if confirmed, I look forward to working with Chairman
    Ferguson, my fellow commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure we are doing
    everything we can to protect American consumers.

        Question 3. States are leading legislation and enforcement of data
    privacy protections for consumers, including robust state privacy laws
    in Colorado and Texas. The Texas Attorney General filed a lawsuit
    against a company for collecting data about the location and driving
    habits of its customers without consent, allegedly violating the Texas
    Data Privacy and Security Act. Collecting and selling sensitive
    personal data increases the risk of consumers' data being stolen by a
    cyberattack or used to directly harm an individual.
        In the absence of a Federal consumer data privacy law, do you
    believe that the FTC currently has the necessary enforcement
    authorities to protect consumers against invasive data collection
    practices involving the unauthorized collection and sale of geolocation
    data?
        Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to working with Chairman
    Ferguson, my fellow commissioners, and FTC staff to review the FTC's
    current enforcement efforts and ensure that the agency has all the
    tools it needs to adequately protect American consumers.
                                     ______

    Response to Written Question Submitted by Hon. Lisa Blunt Rochester to
                                  Mark Meador
        Question. In 2023, scams targeting seniors caused over $3.4 billion
    in losses. Scams are only getting more frequent and advanced with AI.
    We have many older adults in Delaware. In the House, I worked with
    partners like AARP and passed bipartisan legislation to help ensure we
    are protecting and preparing our seniors. Due to my bill's passage, an
    advisory group was started at the FTC to focus on fighting scams
    against older adults.
        Will you commit to continuing this work? What are your biggest
    concerns when it comes to fraud and scams against older adults?
        Answer. Protecting senior citizens is an incredibly important
    mission for the FTC. If confirmed, I will work with Chairman Ferguson,
    my fellow commissioners, and FTC staff to ensure we are doing
    everything we can to protect American consumers.

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