Early Thinking on New Republican Committee Chairs

With the election almost one week old, and control of the incoming Congress firmly in the hands of the Republican Party, attention is focusing on the Members likely to chair congressional committees and subcommittees. They will become some of the most important people in Washington.

Almost all legislative work is done in committee. The Republican minority is preparing to assume majority status on every congressional committee and subcommittee when the 104th Congress convenes. All committee chairmanships will change. Committee chairmen largely shape the legislative agenda, initiate bills, and through committee reports influence policy.

Although Congress puts great stock in seniority, ascension to chairmanships is not automatic. Both House and Senate Republicans have a Committee on Committees, dominated by the Republican leadership, which nominates committee chairmen. Republican senators must approve these nominations. Senate chairs then choose their subcommittee chairs. In neither case must the individuals selected be those with the most seniority, although this is an important consideration.

Also coming into consideration are leadership positions which senior Republicans may take in place of chairmanships. All of this will become clearer in December when the Republicans meet to organize the 104th Congress. Here is some of the current speculation regarding major science and technology-related committees covered in FYI:

HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE:

Members departing science and technology related subcommittees (due to retirement or defeat) include: Representatives Neal Smith (Commerce), Bob Carr (Commerce), and David Price (Commerce).

Rep. Joseph McDade (PA) is in line to assume the chair of this very important funding committee, but since he is under indictment, he will temporarily step aside. Rep. John Myers (IN) is second in seniority, but there is talk that this chair may be given to a Member closer to incoming (probable) Speaker Newt Gingrich (GA). If this occurs, Rep. C.W. “Bill” Young (FL) or Rep. Robert Livingston (LA) may be tapped.

The VA, HUD, Independent Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee has jurisdiction over the NSF and NASA budgets. Rep. Jerry Lewis (CA) will likely be the new chairman. The new Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee chair is less certain; Myers is now the Ranking Republican, followed by Rep. Dean Gallo (NJ). Also uncertain is the new chair for the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee; McDade is now the Ranking Member followed by Young and Livingston.

HOUSE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE:

Known for its investigations of overhead rates and scientific misconduct by Rep. John Dingell (MI), this large committee will lose the following Representatives: Philip Sharp (IN), Al Swift (WA), Mike Synar (OK), Jim Slattery (KS), Jim Cooper (TN), J. Roy Rowland (GA), Richard Lehman (CA), Craig Washington (TX), Lynn Schenk (CA), Mike Kreidler (WA), Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky (PA), and Alex McMillan (NC).

Rep. Carlos Moorhead (CA) is the Ranking Republican. There is speculation that Rep. Thomas Bliley (VA) may try for this seat.

HOUSE SCIENCE, SPACE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE:

This is the most involved committee in Congress watching over science and technology policy; the loss of Rep. George Brown (CA) as the committee’s chair will require some adjustment.

Representatives not returning are: Marilyn Lloyd (TN), Dan Glickman (KS), Dave McCurdy (OK), Tim Valentine (NC), Jim Bacchus (FL), Dick Swett (NH), Herb Klein (NJ), Eric Fingerhut (OH), Jane Harman (CA), Don Johnson (GA), Sam Coppersmith (AZ), Jay Inslee (WA), Peter Barca (WI), Tom Lewis (FL), and Rod Grams (MN).

Rep. Robert Walker (PA) is the Ranking Member. Walker supported the SSC, backs the space station, and is a vigorous critic of earmarking. If he succeeds in becoming the Majority Whip, Rep. James Sensenbrenner (WI) is next in line for the chair. Sensenbrenner was an important force in getting NASA to alter Russian participation in the space station. Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (NY) is next in seniority. While Boehlert led the movement to cancel the SSC, he has been supportive of NSF and the physics reauthorization bill.

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE:

Members not returning to this committee are Senator Jim Sasser (TN) and Senator Dennis DeConcini (AZ).

Senator Mark Hatfield (OR) is the current Ranking Minority Member, and will likely assume the chairmanship. Senator Pete Domenici (NM) is in line for the Commerce Subcommittee chairmanship. Senator Ted Stevens (AK) will likely chair the Defense Subcommittee. Hatfield is the Ranking Member of the Energy Subcommittee. Senator Phil Gramm (TX) is in line for the VA, HUD Subcommittee Chair. If he decides to take a party leadership post, there is speculation that Senator Christopher Bond (MO) may take this chairmanship.

SENATE COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION:

Senator Harlan Mathews (TN) and Senator John Danforth (MO) will not be returning. It is expected that Senator Bob Packwood (OR) will chair the Finance Committee, clearing the way for Senator Larry Pressler (SD). There is talk that Stevens may challenge Pressler for this seat.