Nominations and Withdrawal Sent to the Senate

Nominations and Withdrawals Sent to Senate Affect CFTC and State Department

Impact Score: 1.4

Timeline: From February 11, 2025, through October 30, 2025

Summary: On October 30, 2025, nominations for Michael Selig as Chairman and Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) were sent to the Senate, while the earlier withdrawal (February 11, 2025) of Joel Rayburn’s nomination for Assistant Secretary of State (Near Eastern Affairs) was also noted. These actions could lead to regulatory changes in commodities markets, affecting finance programs and market stability, and may shift foreign policy priorities impacting international relations programs at Vanderbilt University. Financial market implications could influence university endowments and funding opportunities.

Key Actions: Monitor regulatory and foreign policy changes for potential impacts on educational programs and funding strategies.