House Commerce Chairmanship Fight Enters Home Stretch Ahead of Steering Selection

“I have been unrelenting in pursuit of the truth from witnesses before the committee, while forging the bipartisan relationships necessary to move legislation in divided government,” Shimkus told colleagues in a letter privately circulated Sunday. “I have a proven, conservative record of success, and I’m ready to lead.” He included in his two-page letter sections on different policy areas. “Early in his legislative career, Shimkus authored legislation to make 9-1-1 the universal emergency number for cell phones as well as landlines,” the telecom section said. “He has worked across the aisle to enhance 9-1-1 capabilities ever since. Shimkus has also pushed for policy changes to expand rural broadband deployment in a fiscally responsible way, and to grandfather existing broadcaster Joint Sales Agreements.”

Shimkus, in his initial email to House lawmakers, explained he thought such a letter to all colleagues best because “the Members of the Steering Committee are yet to be determined.” He touted his multiyear effort to move chemical safety legislation. “Repeal, Reform, Rebalance, and Restoration” was the mantra he said he would bring to Commerce, a stance he said was consistent with the “Better Way” 2017 policy agenda from House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis. He promised in the letter “a new style of oversight to agencies under our jurisdiction.” “We will use our oversight and investigative authority to rebalance the federal government, recommending changes so future administrations won’t have the same ability to abuse their power,” Shimkus said. “This will entail building the case against the Chevron Deference, which has enabled executive agencies to upend congressional intent through the courts. Our success in this area will restore Congress as the sole lawmaking apparatus of the federal government.”

The Commerce chairmanship is opening because Chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich., has hit his GOP term limit in the position. Shimkus, who unsuccessfully ran for the position in 2010, was the first voice in campaigning for the position this Congress. Walden, the Communications Subcommittee chairman who is more junior than Shimkus, was long rumored to have interest and formally announced interest earlier this fall. Walden also is facing a subcommittee chairmanship term limit and would be able to stay on only if the Communications Subcommittee jurisdiction changes next Congress. A Shimkus spokesman told us Monday there’s been “no new talk or developments” about modifying subcommittee jurisdictions, an idea circulating among industry officials this summer (see 1607270043).

Other contenders are expected. Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, a former chairman of Commerce, “is running for E&C [Energy and Commerce] Chair and is currently reaching out to members,” his spokesman said Monday. “Congressman Barton believes that Reps. Shimkus and Walden are both very qualified for the post and would serve the committee well.” Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., currently vice chairwoman of Commerce, is also a rumored contender but her office didn’t confirm a bid Monday. The transition team for President-elect Donald Trump named Blackburn, a prominent Trump backer who spoke at the Republican National Convention, to its executive committee Friday (see 1611140031). Shimkus “will continue to make his case to his colleagues” over the next two weeks, Shimkus’ spokesman said. Walden's spokesman didn't comment on steps his boss is taking in his bid or on Shimkus' letter.

The GOP caucus is expected to hold its Steering Committee interviews for committee chairs during the final week of November. A recent internal House GOP calendar circulating among industry officials now lists the chairman interviews before the steering committee on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, a time frame affirmed by a House staffer. An earlier GOP schedule had predicted the two-day interviews would be Nov. 29 and 30. The first day will feature the presentations and elections of all uncontested chairs, with 15-minute presentations from candidates, and Dec. 1 will feature the contested committee selections, such as with Commerce and with presentation time slated for 30 minutes. The GOP conference ratification of committee chairs will take place Dec. 2.

Congress officially returned Monday, and GOP leadership elections will happen Tuesday. Ryan is running for re-election as speaker and has been touting his Better Way policies in recent days, an agenda that Shimkus and Walden both also are often highlighting.

One factor in the Commerce race has been long seen as Walden’s chairmanship of the National Republican Congressional Committee, the campaign arm devoted to electing House Republicans. Industry lobbyists and observers saw the outcome of the November House races as potentially affecting the strength of Walden’s bid. “What a phenomenal job,” Ryan told reporters last week, congratulating Walden. “Our House majority is bigger than expected. We won more seats than anyone expected.” Shimkus has been seen by some as more conservative than Walden, another possible factor.

Upton “looks forward to serving at the pleasure of the next chairman” and “wants to be as helpful as possible,” an aide told us when asked about Upton’s next steps, saying that no endorsement is forthcoming: “With regards to the next chairman, Fred is staying neutral as the GOP side of committee is like the Chicago Cubs, we’ve got a deep bench and a team full of MVPs [most valuable players].”