WASHINGTON-While this week’s election of Appropriations Committee Chairman Bob Livingston (R-La.) to speaker of the House is not expected to dramatically change the course of telecom policy making in Congress, a wholesale shakeup in GOP leadership could alter the political dynamics of that process.
“We don’t see a significant change in the way we conduct business with the Hill,” said Jeff Cohen, spokesman for the Personal Communications Industry Association.
However, a new House GOP leadership consisting of one of the House Commerce Committee members, combined with a paper-thin GOP majority, would become factors next year as Congress likely considers bills on antenna siting, enhanced 911, digital wiretap, the 1996 telecom act, Federal Communications Commission funding and structural reform, fast-track trade and other measures important to the wireless industry.
As a general matter, the arrival of Livingston and departure of House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) means the loss of a powerful political voice of the Digital Age that only Vice President Gore rivaled. Gingrich believed putting bills and other congressional data on the information superhighway enriched democracy by empowering the electorate outside the Beltway.
But the House GOP new federalism plank stymied the wireless industry’s campaign for expanded federal pre-emption of local antenna-siting regulation and played into the hands of those who want to call the shots on where or whether a tower is erected.
Despite that, Gingrich voiced support early on for seamless wireless coverage.
The wireless industry will have the same “new federalism” challenge in the Livingston House, and may even have to defend against any backlash to curtail antenna-siting rights that exist today.
By the same token, increased awareness of wireless technology’s safety benefits that the cellular industry-assisted ComCare Alliance and others cultivated this year have made antenna siting a somewhat less difficult sell on Capitol Hill.
Livingston distanced himself as far as possible from the visionary Gingrich. The imposing Louisiana lawmaker sold himself as the kind of day-to-day manager Republicans need to convert ideology into law and to retain control of the House in 2000.
Livingston, some say, often was angered and frustrated when Gingrich foot soldiers attached controversial riders to appropriations bills that then became veto bait for Clinton.
While Gingrich had the great propensity to pop off and polarize members on issues, Livingston has a fiery temper that could create its own fireworks.
Indeed, Livingston was as adamant as Gingrich in letting the government shut down in 1995-a critical miscalculation that marked the beginning of the end for the Georgia firebrand.
While Gingrich found it difficult to get much of his agenda through the more deliberate and moderate Senate, there are no assurances Livingston will fare much better. In fact, it could be worse if Livingston fails to forge a solid relationship with Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.).
The wireless industry could have an easier time getting the attention of lawmakers in the 106th Congress under speaker-to-be Livingston as the House significantly curtails the Clinton impeachment proceeding.
Whether the wireless industry can get legislation through Congress next year is another story, as more and more energy is diverted to the 2000 presidential election. At least with Livingston at the helm, the wireless industry will have the ear of a powerful lawmaker who has helped it navigate through the digital wiretap controversy.
For House telecom subcommittee Chairman Billy Tauzin (R-La.), a wholesale makeover in GOP leadership poses some interesting challenges for the man who is in line to chair the powerful Commerce Committee in 2001 if Republicans retain control of the House in the next election. Rep. Mike Oxley (R-Ohio) could have something to say about that.
Tauzin, according to spokesman Ken Johnson, supports fellow Louisiana lawmaker Livingston for House speaker and Dick Armey (R-Texas) to remain House majority leader. Johnson said Tauzin and Livingston are good friends.
While Tauzin’s backing of Livingston appears unwavering, the same is not necessarily true with respect to Armey.
Armey, who in recent years toured U.S. cities with Tauzin to build grassroots support for tax reform, faces challenges from Reps. Steve Largent (R-Okla.) and Jennifer Dunn (R-Wash.).
Largent, one of the many young conservatives Gingrich helped bring to Washington in the 1994 Republican Revolution, serves with Tauzin on the House Commerce Committee. AT&T Corp., MCI-WorldCom, broadcasters and cable TV operators were top contributors to Largent.
Johnson said Tauzin encouraged Largent to run against Armey for House majority leader for the good of the party, a gesture hardly representing a strong endorsement by Tauzin of Armey. SBC Communications Inc. and GTE Corp. were among top donors to Armey in the recent election cycle.
Dunn, for her part, joined Tauzin earlier this year in co-sponsoring legislation to repeal the 3-percent federal excise telephone tax that wireless industry leaders decry as outdated and anti-consumer. Win or lose, Dunn’s stature will be enhanced. That and a GOP push next year for tax cuts could bode well for killing the 3-percent tax in 1999. Dunn has big backing from Microsoft Corp.
Rep. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), another Commerce Committee member with telecom industry oversight, could emerge as a dark horse for House majority leader if Armey, Largent or Dunn cannot muster 112 votes to win. Hastert is not running for the leadership post, but a draft-Hastert movement reportedly is being considered by top House Republicans. Ameritech Corp. and BellSouth Corp. are among the top contributors to Hastert.
With the retirement of ranking House Appropriations Committee member Rep. Joe McDade (R-Pa.), Rep. Bill Young (R-Fla.) is next in line to succeed Livingston as head of the panel that oversees budgets of the FCC and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
Meanwhile, Democrat Jay Inslee, by defeating Rep. Rick White (R-Wash.), will oversee the district that includes AT&T Wireless Inc., Microsoft Corp. and other high-tech firms.
Thomas Wheeler, president of the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association, said White’s defeat is a big loss for wireless carriers.
White bested senior Commerce Committee member Joe Barton (R-Texas) in a fight over resale several years ago.
Meantime, House Whip Tom Delay (R-Texas) will run unopposed. Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) appears to be building momentum to unseat Rep. John Linder as chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee.
While House GOP members are hopeful Livingston and other new blood can restore focus, the Republicans best bet for the future may rest with Texas Governor George W. Bush.
