The Technology 202: Congress is eying the future of the Silicon Valley's top watchdog in hearings this week Cat Zakrzewski with Aaron Schaffer Congress is weighing the future of the government’s top Silicon Valley watchdog at a pair of hearings this week. Acting Federal Trade Commission chairwoman Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and three other commissioners will today testify in front of the Senate, which will focus on expanding the agency’s powers to better protect consumers. Sen. Maria Cantwell, (D-Wash.), the chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, plans to highlight the agency's work to address scams related to the coronavirus pandemic, amid growing concerns about fake vaccination cards.