Waxman May Push Commerce Committee's Oversight Role

Under the leadership of Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), the House Energy and Commerce Committee is expected to increase emphasis on government accountability and pursue a transparency agenda. To start that off, high-tech and telecommunications industry insiders are pointing to an investigation into the FCC the panel initiated in January. The FCC probe, which was led by Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Bart Stupak (D-MI) is complete and a report will be issued in the coming weeks, an aide said. "To the extent that Dingell started this FCC inquiry, I think Waxman will finish it," Public Knowledge President Gigi Sohn said, adding the agency is "overripe for reform." Many have wondered whether Waxman's chairmanship will lead to a changing of the guard on key subcommittees. One high-tech industry source indicated ousted panel chairman Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) may yearn for a larger role on the subcommittees for Telecommunications and the Internet, led in the 110th Congress by Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA), the Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA), or Health, led by Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ).