Fair Play: Merger Lovers, Beware the New FTC

There could soon be a new sheriff at the Federal Trade Commission. Early signals from Joseph Simons, President Donald Trump’s pick to head the agency, point to more rigorous merger review.

The White House’s package of four FTC nominees — Simons plus three commissioners — is proceeding at a healthy clip through the Senate. All the nominees have submitted their written responses to questions from the Senate Commerce Committee.

The four nominees — Simons (R), Noah Phillips (R), Christine Wilson (R), and Rohit Chopra (D) — will appear as a group for their confirmation hearing on Wednesday. If they move ...