House Commerce Committee Republicans Vote to Give Chairman Upton Subpoena Power

The House Commerce Committee has voted generally along party lines to grant Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) subpoena power without having to get the approval of the minority or, failing that, a vote of the entire committee. That means Chairman Upton can compel testimony and witnesses in the committee’s oversight of various agencies, including the Federal Communications Commission.

That subpoena power change -- adopted 28 to 23 -- highlighted a contentious start that belied the evocations at the beginning of the meeting of the general bipartisan nature of the committee. The vote was purely along party lines except for chairman emeritus Joe Barton (R-TX), who voted against the move, and after some harsh words from Democrats. Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL) called it a cheap power grab, and ranking member Frank Pallone (D-NJ) called it a terrible precedent for potential abuse of power, saying it was a "huge mistake" that moved the committee in the wrong direction.