A First Look at Key R&D Players in the 107th Congress

The presidential race is not the only election in which the results are questioned and recounts considered. Results are not yet final in at least one Senate contest and several House races. Although it is certain that Republicans will hold onto the majority in both chambers - by slimmer margins than in the 106th Congress - the final numbers are still awaited. This FYI looks at possible changes in committee leadership that could impact R&D within federal departments and agencies tracked by FYI. While some information is available regarding possible succession to chairmanship positions, there has been little discussion yet to roster changes on the minority side.

HOUSE VA/HUD APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE: This subcommittee drafts the funding bill for NSF and NASA. Chairman James Walsh (R-NY) won reelection, but it is not clear whether he plans to remain as head of this subcommittee or move to another. Ranking Minority Member Alan Mollohan (D-WV) was also reelected.

HOUSE ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE: With Chairman Ron Packard (R-CA) retiring, it is uncertain who will lead this subcommittee, which makes funding decisions for DOE’s science programs, in the107th Congress. Ranking Member Peter Viscloskey (D-IN) won reelection.

HOUSE DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE: Both Chairman Jerry Lewis (R-CA) and Ranking Member John Murtha (D-PA) won their races. They are expected to remain on this panel.

HOUSE COMMERCE-JUSTICE-STATE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE: This panel has jurisdiction over funding for NIST. Chairman Harold Rogers (R-KY), no great fan of NIST or its Advanced Technology Program, won his race, but his term as chairman of this subcommittee is up. Ranking Member Jose Serrano (D-NY) won reelection.

HOUSE LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE: The retirement of Chairman John Porter (R-IL) leaves the leadership of this subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over NIH and Department of Education funding, in doubt. Ranking Member David Obey (D-WI) was reelected.

HOUSE SCIENCE COMMITTEE: Chairman James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) won reelection, but is expected to take over chairmanship of the Judiciary Committee from Henry Hyde (R-IL), whose term as chairman is up. There has been discussion about waiving the six- year Republican chairmanship term limit to let Hyde continue at Judiciary, leaving Sensenbrenner at the helm of Science. Assuming Sensenbrenner moves to Judiciary, his expected successor would be Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY), although there has been talk that Boehlert is too moderate to suit conservatives in the Republican leadership. Ranking Minority Member Ralph Hall (D-TX) is likely to retain that position. The subcommittee chairs and ranking members all won their races, but Technology Subcommittee Chairwoman Connie Morella (R-MD) has reached the end of her term in that position. The other three subcommittee chairs - Nick Smith (R-MI, Basic Research); Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA, Space and Aeronautics); and Ken Calvert (R-CA, Energy and Environment) - are expected to remain.

HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE: Floyd Spence (R-SC) has reached the limit of his chairmanship on this DOD authorizing committee, and there may be a struggle to succeed him. Actively campaigning for the position is Curt Weldon (R-PA), currently chair of the Military Research and Development Subcommittee. The committee’s Ranking Member, Ike Skelton (D-MO), won his race.

HOUSE EDUCATION AND THE WORKFORCE COMMITTEE: Chairman William Goodling (R-PA) and Ranking Member William Clay (D-MO) are both retiring. Next in seniority for the chairmanship is Thomas Petri (R-WI), but several other Members have also expressed interest in this position.

SENATE VA/HUD APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE: Chair Christopher Bond (R-MO) and Ranking Minority Member Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) will likely continue to head up this panel. Both are key advocates of NASA and NSF, and have launched a drive to encourage a five-year doubling of the NSF budget. Neither faced reelection this year.

SENATE ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE: Neither Chairman Pete Domenici (R-NM) - a strong defender of DOE’s weapons labs - nor Ranking Member Harry Reid (D-NV) of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee faced elections this year. Reid may consider moving to another appropriations panel.

SENATE DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE: No leadership changes expected; Chairman Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Ranking Member Daniel Inouye (D-HI) did not face reelection.

SENATE COMMERCE-JUSTICE-STATE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE: No leadership changes are expected on this subcommittee, with Judd Gregg (R-NH) and Ernest Hollings (D-SC), as Chairman and Ranking Minority Member, not up for reelection.

SENATE LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE: Neither Chairman Arlen Specter (R-PA) nor Ranking Member Tom Harkin (D- IA) faced reelection this year. There is some question as to whether Specter will want to continue to chair this panel next year.

SENATE COMMERCE SUBCOMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SPACE: Chairman Bill Frist (R-TN), won his race; Ranking Member John Breaux (D-LA) was not up for reelection.

SENATE HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR AND PENSIONS COMMITTEE: Chairman James Jeffords (R-VT) and Ranking Member Ted Kennedy (D-MA) both won reelection; no changes likely.

SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE: Neither Chair John Warner (R-VA) nor Ranking Member Carl Levin (D-MI), who are expected to remain in these positions, were up for reelection; nor was Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee Chair Pat Roberts (R-KS). Subcommittee Ranking Member Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) won his race.

A member of the physics community is involved in one of the contested House races: Rush Holt (D-NJ), seeking his second term, is currently leading in the vote tally and has declared victory, but his opponent has not conceded. The other physicist in Congress, Vern Ehlers (R-MI), retained his seat with 65 percent of the votes.