Majoras to Succeed Muris as FTC Chair

WASHINGTON, D.C. Timothy Muris, the chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, said Wednesday that he will leave his position this summer. President George W. Bush has nominated Deborah Majoras, an attorney who has served in the Department of Justice, to replace him.

During his tenure, Muris played a key role in instituting a national Do-Not-Call list, a move generally praised by consumer advocates, who viewed such a measure as long overdue. Some groups, however, felt the measure didn’t go far enough in closing loopholes that allow telemarketers to continue calling consumers at home.

Before joining the FTC in June 2001, Muris was an economist and law professor at George Mason University. He also previously headed the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection and the Bureau of Competition during the Reagan administration.

“I deeply appreciate the trust that President Bush placed in me by providing this opportunity to serve,” Muris said. “The mission of the agency is vital, the issues are fascinating and the people are outstanding.”