AIP FYI#138: A First Look at Key R&D Players in the 107th Congress
The presidential race is not the only election in which the
results are questioned and recounts considered. Results are not
yet final in at least one Senate contest and several House races.
Although it is certain that Republicans will hold onto the
majority in both chambers – by slimmer margins than in the 106th
Congress – the final numbers are still awaited. This FYI looks
at possible changes in committee leadership that could impact R&D
within federal departments and agencies tracked by FYI. While
some information is available regarding possible succession to
chairmanship positions, there has been little discussion yet to
roster changes on the minority side.
HOUSE VA/HUD APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE: This subcommittee
drafts the funding bill for NSF and NASA. Chairman James Walsh
(R-NY) won reelection, but it is not clear whether he plans to
remain as head of this subcommittee or move to another. Ranking
Minority Member Alan Mollohan (D-WV) was also reelected.
HOUSE ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE:
With Chairman Ron Packard (R-CA) retiring, it is uncertain who
will lead this subcommittee, which makes funding decisions for
DOE’s science programs, in the107th Congress. Ranking Member
Peter Viscloskey (D-IN) won reelection.
HOUSE DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE: Both Chairman Jerry
Lewis (R-CA) and Ranking Member John Murtha (D-PA) won their
races. They are expected to remain on this panel.
HOUSE COMMERCE-JUSTICE-STATE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE: This
panel has jurisdiction over funding for NIST. Chairman Harold
Rogers (R-KY), no great fan of NIST or its Advanced Technology
Program, won his race, but his term as chairman of this
subcommittee is up. Ranking Member Jose Serrano (D-NY) won
reelection.
HOUSE LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE: The
retirement of Chairman John Porter (R-IL) leaves the leadership
of this subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over NIH and
Department of Education funding, in doubt. Ranking Member David
Obey (D-WI) was reelected.
HOUSE SCIENCE COMMITTEE: Chairman James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) won
reelection, but is expected to take over chairmanship of the
Judiciary Committee from Henry Hyde (R-IL), whose term as
chairman is up. There has been discussion about waiving the six-
year Republican chairmanship term limit to let Hyde continue at
Judiciary, leaving Sensenbrenner at the helm of Science.
Assuming Sensenbrenner moves to Judiciary, his expected successor
would be Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY), although there has been talk
that Boehlert is too moderate to suit conservatives in the
Republican leadership. Ranking Minority Member Ralph Hall (D-TX)
is likely to retain that position. The subcommittee chairs and
ranking members all won their races, but Technology Subcommittee
Chairwoman Connie Morella (R-MD) has reached the end of her term
in that position. The other three subcommittee chairs – Nick
Smith (R-MI, Basic Research); Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA, Space and
Aeronautics); and Ken Calvert (R-CA, Energy and Environment) –
are expected to remain.
HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE: Floyd Spence (R-SC) has reached
the limit of his chairmanship on this DOD authorizing committee,
and there may be a struggle to succeed him. Actively campaigning
for the position is Curt Weldon (R-PA), currently chair of the
Military Research and Development Subcommittee. The committee’s
Ranking Member, Ike Skelton (D-MO), won his race.
HOUSE EDUCATION AND THE WORKFORCE COMMITTEE: Chairman William
Goodling (R-PA) and Ranking Member William Clay (D-MO) are both
retiring. Next in seniority for the chairmanship is Thomas Petri
(R-WI), but several other Members have also expressed interest in
this position.
SENATE VA/HUD APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE: Chair Christopher Bond
(R-MO) and Ranking Minority Member Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) will
likely continue to head up this panel. Both are key advocates of
NASA and NSF, and have launched a drive to encourage a five-year
doubling of the NSF budget. Neither faced reelection this year.
SENATE ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE:
Neither Chairman Pete Domenici (R-NM) – a strong defender of
DOE’s weapons labs – nor Ranking Member Harry Reid (D-NV) of the
Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee faced
elections this year. Reid may consider moving to another
appropriations panel.
SENATE DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE: No leadership changes
expected; Chairman Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Ranking Member Daniel
Inouye (D-HI) did not face reelection.
SENATE COMMERCE-JUSTICE-STATE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE: No
leadership changes are expected on this subcommittee, with Judd
Gregg (R-NH) and Ernest Hollings (D-SC), as Chairman and Ranking
Minority Member, not up for reelection.
SENATE LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE: Neither
Chairman Arlen Specter (R-PA) nor Ranking Member Tom Harkin (D-
IA) faced reelection this year. There is some question as to
whether Specter will want to continue to chair this panel next
year.
SENATE COMMERCE SUBCOMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SPACE:
Chairman Bill Frist (R-TN), won his race; Ranking Member John
Breaux (D-LA) was not up for reelection.
SENATE HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR AND PENSIONS COMMITTEE: Chairman
James Jeffords (R-VT) and Ranking Member Ted Kennedy (D-MA) both
won reelection; no changes likely.
SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE: Neither Chair John Warner (R-VA)
nor Ranking Member Carl Levin (D-MI), who are expected to remain
in these positions, were up for reelection; nor was Emerging
Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee Chair Pat Roberts (R-KS).
Subcommittee Ranking Member Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) won his race.
A member of the physics community is involved in one of the
contested House races: Rush Holt (D-NJ), seeking his second term,
is currently leading in the vote tally and has declared victory,
but his opponent has not conceded. The other physicist in
Congress, Vern Ehlers (R-MI), retained his seat with 65 percent
of the votes.
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Audrey T. Leath
Public Information Division
The American Institute of Physics
fyi@aip.org
(301) 209-3094
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