109th Congress Convenes January 4
2004 Election Review
by Jonathan Yarowsky
NATO Washington Counsel
Following what seemed to many to be
the longest election cycle in recent memory, we present
below a brief overview
of the election’s outcome with particular reference
to the key leadership and committee changes in areas where
NATO has a keen interest.
White House. In what seemed to be a
very close race up to election eve, President Bush won
a convincing electoral-college
victory over challenger John Kerry, and received 51 percent
of the popular vote. At the same time, Republican majorities
increased in both the House and Senate. With a continuation
of Bush administration policies, there is widely expected
to be a continued focus on business tax cuts and reduction
of administrative “red-tape” in business regulations.
At the same time, we expect to see continuing efforts to
secure association health plan (AHP) legislation, as well
as a drive for stronger intellectual property protection – both
of which NATO strongly supports.
As noted, the Republicans also solidified their majority
control in Congress, adding seats in both the House and
Senate. In the new 109th Congress, the GOP will hold at
least 231 of the 435 House seats (a number of seats are
subject to December run-offs), and a 55-seat majority in
the Senate. Below is a closer look at the new make-up of
each house.
Senate. In Washington parlance, the
Senate “numbers” game
has less to do with the number “51” (a simple
majority) than it does “60” – the number
of votes needed to cut off a filibuster and invoke “cloture” – literally,
to close debate, so that a final vote can occur. With a
55-seat majority in the Senate, the Republicans are much
better positioned to seek cloture with the help of a relatively
small number of Democrats.
On the Democratic side of the aisle, Senate
minority leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) was defeated in his
re-election bid
by former House member John R. Thune (R-S.D.). In the wake
of that major development, Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has been
chosen by the Democrats to serve as new Senate minority
leader.
There will also be significant changes in
leadership positions on the key jurisdictional committees.
On the Senate Judiciary
Committee, it has now been determined that Arlen Specter
(R-Pa.) will succeed chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), who
is term-limited to six years as chairman, in accordance
with Senate Republican Caucus rules. The Democratic Caucus
imposes no such limits on its committee leaders; and thus
Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), a long-time friend of NATO, will
remain as the Democratic ranking member on Judiciary in
the new Congress.
On the Senate Commerce Committee, there
will be a complete change in leadership, with John McCain
(R-Ariz.) moving
out of the chairmanship (again, as a result of term limits)
and ranking member Ernest Hollings (D-S.C.) retiring. Assuming
the chairmanship will be Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), with Daniel
Inouye (D-Hawaii) assuming the ranking Democrat position
on the committee. Even with a dramatic change of leadership,
we fully expect the committee to continue its interest
in, and scrutiny of, such key jurisdictional issues as
TV indecency enforcement/fines and the “family TV
viewing hour”, as well as movie ratings enforcement.
House of Representatives. On the House
side, the leadership of the most exhibition-relevant
committees – Judiciary
and Energy and Commerce – will remain constant in
the new Congress.
Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) will continue
to chair House Judiciary, while John Conyers (D-Mich.)
will continue to
serve as the ranking Democrat. NATO has had a long and
productive working relationship with both leadership
members on issues ranging from anti-camcordering legislation
to
the Americans With Disabilities Act.
On the House Energy and Commerce Committee,
Joe Barton (R-Texas) will continue as chairman, having
succeeded
Billy Tauzin (R-La.) last year, and John Dingell (D-Mich.)
will
continue to serve as the ranking Democrat on the committee.
As with Senate Commerce, the House Energy and Commerce
Committee will likely continue its oversight over a
range of issues affecting television viewing as well as
movie
ratings enforcement.
With the November elections behind
us, and new members of the House and Senate receiving
their committee assignments,
Congress is set to return on Jan. 4 to convene the 109th
Congress. NATO’s Washington representatives, under
the leadership of president John Fithian, will also be
there – working to ensure that NATO’s voice
will be heard on any and all public policy issues affecting
its members’ interests.
