Today, the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee failed to advance to the senate floor President Biden’s nomination of Prof. Alvaro Bedoya as an FTC commissioner.  The vote was solidly partisan at 14-14.  Until a nominee is confirmed, the Commission stands at two Republicans and two Democrats.  Today’s vote does not necessarily kill the nomination, but the process is now slowed.  Earlier this year, the Senate Banking Committee deadlocked 12-12 on Rohit Chopra to serve as the CFPB director, necessitating a vote by the full senate to move the nomination from committee to the floor. That vote required Vice President Harris to cast a tie-breaking vote allowing for Chopra’s confirmation.  The same process is expected to move Bedoya’s nomination forward.