Buzz: Eshoo may give up telecom ranking spot

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The rumor swirling on K Street and Capitol Hill is that Rep Anna Eshoo (D-CA), the top Democrat on House Commerce communications subcommittee, has told people she won’t continue in that role in the new Congress. Rep Eshoo, who has served as the telecommunications ranking member for the last six years, declined to comment, but apparently while it’s not a done deal, they see the likely outcome as her relinquishing the role. The expectation is that rep Eshoo, 74, would retain a rank-and-file seat on the telecom subcommittee and also pursue a spot on Energy and Commerce’s health subcommittee — and potentially throw her hat into the ring to lead Democrats on the health subcommittee, although apparently some are less convinced she would do that.

Rep Eshoo giving up the top slot on the telecom panel, if that’s what winds up happening, would be a blow for tech companies, which she often supports. It would also open the door to new leadership there: Rep Mike Doyle (D-PA), the No 2 Democrat on the subcommittee, would be a top contender to replace her, though Rep Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Rep Gene Green (D-TX) — if Rep Eshoo were to wrest the health subcommittee ranking member post from him — could also pursue the position.


Buzz: Eshoo may give up telecom ranking spot