House Agriculture Committee Pushes for Fully Staffed CFTC Amid Crypto Legislation Advancements

The House Agriculture Committee is pressing President Trump to nominate four more commissioners to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) as the regulatory workload increases. The committee argues that a full five-member commission would produce more durable and legally sound rules, especially with the expanded authority over spot digital commodity trading.

Chairman Glenn Thompson and Ranking Member Angie Craig sent a joint letter to President Trump on Friday calling for a full five-member commission. They pointed out that CFTC Chairman Michael Selig has been serving as the agency's sole commissioner since December, with four seats remaining empty after a wave of departures.

The CLARITY Act, which would grant the CFTC sweeping new authority over spot digital commodity trading, advanced in the Senate Banking Committee last Thursday with a 15-9 bipartisan vote. The House had already passed its version of the bill last July with a strong majority. Sen. Amy Klobuchar has proposed an amendment to block new CFTC rules from taking effect until at least four commissioners are seated.