House telecommunications subcommittee Chairman Jack Field’s (R-Tex.) swan song is squelched. Though the telecom reform bill he helped craft is the biggest feather in his congressional cap, Fields on a personal level wanted to downsize the FCC as a last act before heading back down to Humble.
But, owing to amendments from fellow Republicans and the election-year time crunch, that won’t happen. Rep. Mike Oxley (R-Ohio) added a provision at subcommittee markup to let the FCC waive the 25 percent foreign ownership restriction on telecom carriers.
Rep. Rick White (R-Wash.) got the panel to OK deregulation of the Internet over objections of key Democrats Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and John Dingell (D-Mich.)
House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) apparently didn’t want any controversial bills coming to the floor and delaying Friday’s exodus to the campaign trail by Republicans in fear of losing control of Congress after two years in and 40 years out. Better use that ice bucket you’ve been carrying around to collect campaign funds, Newt.
… Roll Call, a Hill tabloid, reports lawmakers will meet in November instead of December to decide leadership posts and committee assignments. RC also says Kevin Curtin, chief Dem counsel and staff director of the Senate Commerce Committee, is leaving to join the D.C. law offices of Bryan Cave. Taking his place is Ivan Schlager, senior counsel to panel.
… Chris Ullman (any relation to Liv?), is departing as mouthpiece for John Kasich’s (R-Ohio) House Budget Committee to sound off for the American Electronics Association.
… Mothers of Reinvention are back. VP Al Gore reports to President Clinton that the government shakeup is saving $118 billion by reducing the federal workforce by almost 240,000, auctioning $20 billion worth of spectrum and so on. But effort is reportedly seen by some as dumbing down as questions are raised about efficiency.
The GOP’s idea of reinvention: bye-bye to FCC and the departments of HUD, Commerce, Energy and Transportation.
… Finally, thanks to RCR reader John F. Jones III for your letter last week. Though you overstated the `human capital’ point, I liked-and share-some of your sentiments. Unlike the last guy who criticized me as good-for-nothing, Eastern-liberal, Democratic, Clinton-sympathizer, your letter is less personal and better written.
For you and others, I take no offense. But know that Clintonites are not always fond of me. How’s this? My prediction for Election ’96: Dole in the biggest political upset of the century and Dem coup in House and Senate. How? Why? More faith in pols than polls.
