After the Election: Vote for Barton!

Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) said that he's "confident" of his ability to nab an influential House chairmanship if Republicans win control of the chamber in Nov. 2's elections. Rep Barton, the top GOP member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, suggested that he fully intends to push a bid to become chairman of that committee, despite rules and colleagues' concerns that could threaten his ability to take that post. Barton's apology to BP CEO Tony Hayward over the summer was a gaffe that troubled many members of Barton's own party. House Republicans' rules limit to three the number of terms a lawmaker can serve in the top position on a committee. A member like Barton would need to apply for a waiver in order to serve again, since he's served one term as chairman, from 2004 to 2006, and has served as the committee's ranking member from 2007 to the present. The GOP's rules are ambiguous, though, as to whether time served atop a committee while in the minority should count against members. But even if Barton were to win his rules challenge, he's still expected to face a competitive race within the House GOP conference. Reps. Fred Upton (R-MI), John Shimkus (R-IL) and Cliff Stearns (R-FL) are all seen as other candidates for the chairmanship.

As to what he'll actually do if he wins the chairmanship, expect vigorous oversight of federal agencies, including the Federal Communications Commission. That means look for hearings and information requests on a host of issues. One of the ten things he has pledged to "uncover" in the first six months of next year is "why the Obama administration's Federal Communications Commission thinks the Internet needs federal government regulation for the first time." He called getting the answer one of the ways to "start cleaning up the mess." Additional oversight issues include the broadband stimulus spending and build-outs under National Telecommunications & Information Administration and Agriculture Department programs, as well as on Universal Service Reform and privacy.