Friday, February 10, 2012

Reax: House Subcommittee Shuffle

January 8, 2009

The tech and telecom policy community was abuzz Thursday (in D.C. and at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas) over the news that Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., will take over the Energy and Commerce Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee and Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Va., will head the panel's Telecommunications and the Internet Subcommittee. The lawmakers (both known for their tech prowess) basically swapped seats.

Some reactions from my email inbox:

National Cable and Telecommunications Association President Kyle McSlarrow said his group looks forward to working with Boucher "as he pursues the important goals of expanding broadband deployment and adoption and completing a successful DTV transition."

U.S. Telecom Association President Walter McCormick said Boucher's "vast experience with communication issues, in particular those affecting rural America, will serve him well in his new role." "Broadband investment can make an essential contribution to our nation--from job creation to economic development to advancing health care, education, the environment and other key priorities," he said.

COMPTEL President Matthew Salmon said Boucher "has been a longstanding advocate for policies that promote competition and innovation in the communications marketplace, and his efforts to increase the deployment of broadband in the U.S. and to improve regulatory processes at the FCC have been hailed by both sides of the aisle."

The National Association of Broadcasters released a statement saying the group has "enormous respect" for both Boucher and Markey and wished them success in their new roles. "We look forward to working with both Mr. Boucher and Mr. Markey in the new Congress, and in continuing to make the case that the news, entertainment and emergency lifeline services provided by free and local broadcasting are worth preserving."

Sprint Nextel issued a statement saying Markey "is leaving big shoes to fill" on the telecommunications panel but Boucher will be more than able to fill them. Boucher understands the important role that telecom companies can play in creating jobs and building a broadband economy which benefits all parts of the country.

Join the Discussion

The National Journal Group has the right (but not the obligation) to monitor the comments and to remove any materials it deems inappropriate.

Comments powered by Disqus

 

Archives

Monthly Archives

Categories

Recent Posts

Recent Comments


Contributors

Juliana Gruenwald

Tech Writer

E-Mail: jgruenwald@nationaljournal.com.


Juliana Gruenwald has been covering tech and telecom issues for more than a decade for National Journal, Interactive Week, BNA and Congressional Quarterly. This is her second stint with National Journal. She was recruited by NJ in 1998 to help launch its first tech policy publication, Technology Daily. She left in 2000 to cover international tech and telecom issues for Ziff Davis Media's Interactive Week magazine. She started her career at United Press International as the wire service's first Helen Thomas Intern. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota. A Minneapolis native, she misses the lakes but not the cold.


Josh Smith

Tech Reporter

E-Mail: joshsmith@nationaljournal.com.


Josh Smith covers technology policy as a staff reporter for National Journal. He previously interned at National Journal Daily, a Senate press office, and the Deseret News in Salt Lake City where he covered the state legislature, courts, and crime. In 2009 he graduated with honors from Southern Utah University after managing an award-winning student newspaper as editor-in-chief. Josh has received state, regional and national awards for his political and policy reporting, including first place in CapitolBeat’s 2009 Best of Statehouse Reporting college competition. A native of drop-dead-gorgeous Utah, Josh lives in Virginia with his wife, Amber.