House committee leaders have formally urged President Trump to nominate members to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, pointing to the CLARITY Act as the basis for their request. The CFTC currently operates with just one commissioner — Chair Michael Selig — leaving four seats empty on the five-member panel. Trump hasn't made a public statement about filling the vacancies.
The letter and the law
In a letter sent this week, leaders of the House Agriculture Committee and the House Financial Services Committee asked the president to move quickly on nominations. They cited the CLARITY Act, a bill that addresses regulatory clarity for digital assets, though they didn't detail specific provisions in their public statement. The law, passed last year, updated portions of the Commodity Exchange Act and gave the CFTC new authority over certain crypto products.
Without a full commission, the agency's ability to exercise that authority is limited. The CFTC can still operate with fewer than five commissioners — it has done so for years — but major rulemakings and enforcement actions often slow down when the panel isn't at full strength.
A commission in waiting
Chair Selig has been running the agency solo since his predecessor stepped down. He was confirmed in 2023 and has pushed for more staffing at the commission, both among commissioners and in the ranks below. The CLARITY Act's implementation depends in part on having enough political appointees to set policy direction.
Industry groups have also pressed for a full slate of commissioners. They argue that the CFTC's growing role in overseeing digital asset markets — especially after the collapse of several crypto firms — demands consistent leadership and clear voting majorities.
The White House has not responded publicly to the lawmakers' letter. A spokesperson for the president didn't return a request for comment by press time.
What happens next
The House leaders want Trump to nominate candidates before the end of the current legislative session. But no timeline has been set, and the president hasn't indicated whether he intends to make appointments or let the seats stay empty. For now, the CFTC remains a one-person show, and the clock is ticking on the CLARITY Act's promise of clearer rules for digital assets.
