Walden Locks Down House Commerce Ranking Member, as Does House Judiciary's Collins
House Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden, R-Ore., is focusing on consensus telecom issues in the waning weeks of the GOP's control of that chamber and emphasizing the need for bipartisanship on the committee ahead of the incoming Democratic majority. Walden confirmed to us the House Republican Steering Committee formally recommended Thursday he be retained as the party's House Commerce leader in the 116th Congress, as expected (see 1811020048), becoming ranking member. Current committee ranking member Frank Pallone, D-N.J., and House Communications Subcommittee ranking member Mike Doyle, D-Pa., are considered near certain to take over (see 1811070054).
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“Nobody challenged me,” but “you still have to make a presentation to the committee” and outline priorities, Walden said. His office announced the appointment Friday.
The steering committee recommended Rep. Doug Collins, R-Ga., become Judiciary ranking member, as expected (see 1811290066), and Mike Rogers, R-Ala., take the top GOP spot on the House Homeland Security Committee. Collins said he’s committed to advancing a conservative agenda. All ranking member selections still need to be ratified by the GOP caucus, typically a formality, a telecom lobbyist said.
Walden said he's “beginning discussions” on who will be lead Republicans on House Communications and House Commerce's other subcommittees. “We had to wait” until the past week for committee Democrats to confirm they wanted the subcommittees' jurisdictions to remain the same as in this Congress, he said. “But we still don't know the partisan ratios” for membership on House Commerce or the subcommittees, “and probably won't until January.” That won't directly affect the process of choosing ranking members, “but it does potentially affect” which subcommittees senior House Commerce Republicans will be on, Walden said.
Walden isn't yet endorsing House Digital Commerce Subcommittee Chairman Bob Latta, R-Ohio, for Communications ranking member (see 1811080040) or GOP candidates for other subcommittees. Latta is “very good” on communications policy issues and “did a terrific job” during a past stint as Communications vice chairman, Walden said: “I was also running” the National Republican Campaign Committee while Communications chairman, so Latta “got to pull extra duty from time to time.” Walden “wants to see who else is” interested in Communications and other subcommittees' leadership and send out questionnaires to interested lawmakers. “We've generally always gone by seniority,” but “you get junior members who apply,” too, he said.
Walden said there are only a handful of telecom bills he and House Commerce leaders are trying to advance via year-end must-pass legislation. That includes public safety-specific bills House Communications examined in September (see 1809260062) -- the National Non-Emergency Mobile Number Act (HR-5700), Anti-Swatting Act (HR-6003) and 911 Fee Integrity Act (HR-6424). “That's still in discussion and I'm not sure we've decided yet,” Walden said. “Most of those aren't controversial,” and “we're working with” House Democrats to make a decision. “We're not going to be jamming anything through” if there's no Democratic agreement, he said.
“What I would do” on telecom issues next Congress is likely “different than what [Democrats] want,” but “maybe we can find common ground on net neutrality” legislation, despite the partisan divide on that issue this Congress, Walden told us. House Democrats still seek a floor vote on a Congressional Review Act resolution to undo FCC rescission of 2015 net neutrality rules, amid long odds in the lame duck (see 1811290042). “I think [the Democrats] are going to encounter the reality of some of the policy ideas they've pushed” and that could prompt them to “reach agreement on issues related to bad behaviors” on blocking and throttling, Walden said. Language to restrict paid prioritization could prove “a little stickier.”
Walden foresees continued agreement on a range of other issues where there has been consensus, including improving broadband availability, spectrum reallocation and oversight of the broadcast incentive auction repacking process. He cited House Communication's planned Thursday hearing on implementing the Repack Airwaves Yielding Better Access for Users of Modern Services (Ray Baum's) Act FCC reauthorization and spectrum statute language included in the FY 2018 federal spending law. The hearing focuses on industry perspectives. The witnesses are: APCO International Chief Counsel Jeff Cohen, Competitive Carriers Association Senior Vice President-Legislative Affairs Tim Donovan, NAB Executive Vice President-Government Relations Curtis LeGeyt and Milwaukee PBS General Manager Bohdan Zachary. The hearing begins at 10 a.m. in 2123 Rayburn.