On Tuesday, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation held an executive session to vote on the nomination of Terrell McSweeny to fill the fifth and final open spot on the Federal Trade Commission. Her nomination was approved by voice vote and will now be presented to the full Senate for a vote. It is expected that the Senate will confirm the nomination, but it’s unclear when that vote will actually occur, given the Senate’s full calendar and Senator Lindsey Graham’s (R-SC) threat to block all confirmations until the Obama administration accedes to his demands on Benghazi.

If confirmed, McSweeny would become the third Democrat on the Commission, shifting the balance in favor of the Democrats for the first time since Chairman Leibowitz stepped down earlier this year. Generally, her professional experience and past hearing testimony suggests that she has an interest in antitrust and consumer privacy, with a focus on protecting vulnerable populations (seniors, veterans, children, and the financially distressed).

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Senate Committee Votes on Nomination of FTC Commissioner Terrell McSweeny