Trump Transition Taps Pompeo for Administration, Possibly Eyeing Others on House Commerce

Two of the highest-profile of Trump’s House backers sit on Commerce: Reps. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., vice chairwoman of the full committee, and Chris Collins, R-N.Y. Both are members of the Trump transition team executive committee. Vice President-elect Mike Pence, who leads the Trump transition effort now, is a former House lawmaker and visited Capitol Hill last week. Collins has been tapped as the Trump transition team's House liaison.

The transition initiative may be eyeing several of Commerce’s members for possible positions in the administration, said a media industry lobbyist. The team seems to be considering Rep. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., for secretary of Agriculture or Energy and Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Ohio, for secretary of Veterans Affairs, the lobbyist said. Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., who is hitting his term limit as Commerce chairman, is among names swirling about for administration positions, despite his lack of endorsement of Trump, the lobbyist added. Rep. Billy Long, R-Mo., also was noted for his Trump backing and early prediction of a Trump win. Much is evolving quickly with the transition effort in recent days and the nature of its makeup and choices are seen as unpredictable (see 1611170041), and the team didn’t confirm its consideration on these positions. Many of these GOP lawmakers have been critical of FCC actions under Chairman Tom Wheeler. Blackburn, Cramer, Pompeo and Johnson signed onto an amicus brief backing the industry challenge to the net neutrality order (see 1511050038).

No one from Trump’s team has contacted Johnson about a potential cabinet post, he told us. But he listed several reforms he deemed necessary in the Department of Veterans Affairs and cited his past role as oversight subcommittee chairman for the House Veterans Affairs Committee. “I was very impressed with the attention that President-elect Trump showed to the veterans community and the issues with the VA during the presidential campaign, and whoever is ultimately tasked with this enormous undertaking must know that they have the backing of the incoming president,” Johnson said.

Transition maneuvering also may be affecting the ongoing race for House Commerce Committee chairman. Blackburn has long been one rumored contender for that position despite her more junior status compared to others interested. Her office won't confirm whether she is interested. The media industry lobbyist said she is engaged on multiple fronts. Blackburn is a prominent Trump advocate, speaking in favor of his candidacy at the Republican National Convention, and it’s widely believed she could get a Cabinet position, with her name rumored as one among many under consideration for the Commerce secretary role. The other factor involves Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., who has been frequently named as a possible member of the Trump cabinet. If his Senate seat opens up both Blackburn and Rep. Diane Black, R-Tenn., are believed to be interested.

Rep. John Shimkus, R-Ill., mentioned only himself and Reps. Greg Walden, R-Ore., and Joe Barton, R-Texas, when recently describing those vying for the chairmanship. “We’re just doing what we’re doing,” Shimkus told reporters on the state of the race last week, talking about the degree to which the new Congress’ steering committee is coming together. “We just had the regional maps out. We got 10 days for people to campaign to the regional reps. … Folks like me and Greg and Joe are talking to them and we’ll sort it all out.” Contenders will have to present their bids before the GOP Steering Committee at month's end.

Commerce departures will create openings on the committee for other lawmakers. Several others are already believed to be eyeing potential slots (see 1611150038).

Pompeo “will be a brilliant and unrelenting leader for our intelligence community to ensure the safety of Americans and our allies,” Trump said in announcing the lawmaker’s administration position. He named Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., a key transition team leader, as his choice for attorney general, a position that will have great bearing on antitrust oversight at DOJ as the department’s personnel comes together. Pompeo has been active on telecom policy and especially cybersecurity concerns. This year, he spoke before the American Cable Association summit (see 1603020016), pressed Wheeler on the security of the local number portability administrator (see 1607180056) and later on the degree to which the FCC ISP privacy approach harmonized with cybersecurity statutes (see 1610250065).

Aides said Friday the landing teams schedule is on track. “Today, the landing teams are fully in action,” spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters. The landing teams for the State Department, Justice Department, DOD and the NSA “have arrived and are meeting with their counterparts,” he said. “Over the next couple months, they will integrate and ensure there is a smooth transition on Jan. 20.” On Monday, the team will announce the economic policy landing teams and on Tuesday, those dealing with domestic policy and independent agencies, they said. The aides reiterated that these landing team members aren't necessarily intended to be staff positions. They said the Trump transition effort has received around 51,000 resumes.