Democrats’ Stronger Hold on Congress Could Affect Key Committees

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., did not comment on the Waxman declaration, unusual in its timing. “Most members don’t make such announcements, especially the day after their party has won the White House,” an industry official said. Waxman’s thrust alarms those fearing Pelosi, who has feuded with Dingell, might grant the Californian’s request. Pelosi said she will reconvene the House Jan. 6 and may reconvene in a few weeks to consider economic stimulus legislation.

“Dingell has a strong record of accomplishment for the first two years back in the majority and is positioned to move full speed ahead with an aggressive agenda,” a committee spokeswoman said, adding that Waxman’s challenge “is unhealthy, and does not benefit the party in any way. Tearing a leadership apart is something the Republicans should be doing after their big loss, it shouldn’t be the first order of business for the Democrats after a historic election.” Waxman’s office did not return calls or e-mails for comment.

“It’s hard to believe that less than 24 hours after his election, Barack Obama would let Nancy Pelosi replace the steady hand of John Dingell for someone who is so clearly anti-industry as Henry Waxman,” an industry official said. “This will send a message that the far left is now in charge of the Obama administration.”

GOP leadership on the Senate Commerce Committee was up in the air, with results from Alaska Republican Ted Stevens’ race being tallied at our deadline. If Stevens prevails, the former committee ranking member, convicted on federal ethics charges, could face an expulsion effort. Senate Majority Harry Reid, D-Nev., who’s expected to retain his leadership post, has made it clear that he wants Stevens out. Meanwhile, as expected, the committee lost New Hampshire Republican John Sununu. Results were not final for Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore.

So far, Democrats have gained five Senate seats. As a result, leadership likely will push for a higher majority of seats on committees. Newly elected Senate Democrat Mark Warner of Virginia is deemed a strong contender for any new spots or vacancies on the Commerce Committee, given his wireless industry background. Warner made a fortune with Alexandria, Va., tech venture firm Columbia Capital, which he helped found. Warner is considered a moderate Democrat and his presence on the committee would be a welcome development there, industry officials said.

Speculation about new committee leadership has been in the air for months, with Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye, D- Hawaii, rumored to be ready to leave for the Appropriations Committee if Reid convinces that body’s chairman, Robert Byrd of West Virginia, to take a reduced role in light of age and declining health. Inouye could stay on Commerce, likely replaced as Chairman by Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., who has strong ideas about telecom policy and is said to be eager for the post. But Rockefeller also likes chairing the Intelligence Committee, where he is seen as highly effective, Hill sources said.

Another area of speculation is whether a new chairman would reconvene the Senate telecom subcommittee that Stevens abolished when he became chairman, ousting Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. Inouye did not reconvene the subcommittee, but some say Rockefeller might do so to give Sen. Byron Dorgan, D- N.D., a more prominent role on telecom. Sen. John Kerry, D- Mass., would have seniority over Dorgan, but also might take a job in the Obama administration.

On the Republican side, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R- Texas, interim ranking member, likely will get the leadership post if Stevens leaves. But she has not ruled out a 2010 run for governor, which could require that she make an early exit from the Senate. Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, is next in line. The telecom industry doesn’t like Snowe’s support of net neutrality legislation.

Early last year, Snowe co-sponsored a bill (S-215) with Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., to bar broadband providers from blocking users’ ability to access Internet content or attach devices of their choice. The bill never advanced because supporters knew it would face a White House veto. With Obama’s pledge to put net neutrality high on his technology agenda, he’s likely to support such legislation.

The 111th Congress likely will take an interest in the Fairness Doctrine, indecency and violence on TV and other media items, lobbyists and others said. Some Democrats seem interested in reviving the doctrine, but the full House or Senate is unlikely to pass a bill re-imposing it, they said. “It seems to have some traction” on the Hill, said broadcast attorney Henry Rivera, an FCC commissioner 1981-1985.

“People have a visceral reaction about bringing it back and I would expect there would be some activity,” but it’s not certain any bills would pass, added Rivera. “There will be people particularly in the progressive community that push for it and members that will push for it,” said Meredith McGehee, policy director of the Campaign Legal Center. It would be ill-advised to make a strong push for it, she said. “I would rate the likelihood of action on the Fairness Doctrine to be somewhere between zero and one on a scale of 100,” said Media Access Project President Andrew Schwartzman.

Look for Senate attention to broadcast indecency and violence if Rockefeller heads Commerce, said Schwartzman. “He will make violence and indecency a higher priority than it’s been in the Senate,” he added. Hill interest in indecency may be stoked if the Supreme Court doesn’t dismiss FCC indecency policy on constitutional grounds, said Rivera. The court heard oral arguments in FCC vs. Fox Tuesday (CD Oct 5 p4). Media consolidation also may draw Hill interest, said Rivera.

“Issues related to our business and telecommunications in general are somewhere on the list of things but not particularly high on the agenda,” said Time Warner Cable CEO Glenn Britt, commenting on the election in a company earnings call. “Given what’s going on in our society and our economy, that’s a good thing.”