On November 5, 2024, Donald J. Trump was elected to serve as the 47th President of the United States. The election will result in changes not just in the executive branch but in Congress as well. Even with results still coming in, we take a look at changes to the Congressional committees that oversee broadband policy, the Federal Communications Commission, and the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). NTIA is implementing programs distributing tens of billions of dollars to states and territories to deploy high-speed internet networks and help people connect and use service. 

Senate Commerce Committee

The Senate Commerce Committee has a vast range of issues under its jurisdiction, including communications, disasters, science, space, interstate commerce, consumer issues, economic development, technology, competitiveness, and product safety to name just a few.

In the 118th Congress, the committee is composed of 27 senators led by Chair Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-TX). Both leaders faced the voters this year and both have been reelected. And, since Republicans will gain control of the chamber, the two are likely to switch roles when the 119th Congress convenes in January 2025. It is anticipated that Sen. Cruz will chair the committee and Sen. Cantwell will lead the minority.

In addition to Cantwell and Cruz, Sens Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Deb Fischer (R-NE), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) all were reelected for new, six-year terms. As we go to press, Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) is leading in her reelection bid, but the race has still not been called with over 95 percent of the votes counted. 

Sen. John Tester (D-MT) is the only member of the committee to lose his election bid in 2024. He will be replaced in Congress—although not necessarily on the Senate Commerce Committee—by Tim Sheehy (R-MT), a former U.S. Navy SEAL. He closely aligned his campaign with Donald Trump and leading conservatives. He promised to address the southern border crisis and curb government regulation.

Also leaving the committee, but for a much different reason, is Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH). On January 20, 2025, he will become Vice President of the United States, just two years after Vance took the oath of office for his first Senate term. Gov. Mike DeWine (R-OH) will pick another Republican to replace Vance until a special election is held in November 2026. The winner in 2026 would serve out the rest of Vance's term, which ends in 2028. At this point, there is only speculation about who Gov. DeWine will select. Possibilities mentioned in the press include State Sen. Matt Dolan (R-Chagrin Falls), Secretary of State Frank LaRose, and former GOP State Party Chair Jane Timken, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.

House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology

In the House, the Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Communications and Technology also has an expansive jurisdiction including:

• electronic communications, both Interstate and foreign, including voice, video, audio and data, whether transmitted by wire or wirelessly, and whether transmitted by telecommunications, commercial or private mobile service, broadcast, cable, satellite, microwave, or other mode;
• technology generally;
• emergency and public safety communications;
• cybersecurity, privacy, and data security; and
• the Federal Communications Commission, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and the Office of Emergency Communications in the Department of Homeland Security.

In the 118th Congress, the subcommittee includes 28 members led by Chairman Bob Latta (R-OH), Vice Chair Randy Weber (R-TX), and Ranking Member Doris Matsui (D-CA). All three won reelection this week.

The leaders of the full Commerce Committee also sit on subcommittees so Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-NJ) guide Communications and Technology as well. McMorris Rodgers is leaving Congress at the end of the session, opening up the Commerce Committee chairmanship. Latta and Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY), who chairs the Health Subcommittee, are fighting to replace McMorris Rodgers—a battle that could impact the leadership of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

None of the members who ran in 2024 lost their elections. But there will still be at least five changes to the subcommittee's makeup. Past McMorris Rodgers, Democrats Anna Eshoo (CA), Tony Cardenas (CA), and Ann Kuster (NH) are all leaving Congress. 

Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) is in a close race to retain her seat in Iowa's first Congressional district. With over 99 percent of the expected votes counted, Miller-Meeks leads by less than 800 votes. The Democrat in the race is former State Representative Christina Bohannan.

Finally, Rep. John Curtis (R-UT) will be leaving the House for the Senate in 2025. He will succeed Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT). Rep. Curtis defeated Democrat Caroline Gleich in a race that often centered around each candidate’s climate policies. Curtis leads the Conservative Climate Caucus on Capitol Hill and has developed a reputation for pushing back against party leaders such as Donald Trump who falsely claim that climate change is a hoax.

As reported by the Associated Press, Curtis, 64, began his political career as a county-level Democratic Party official. He is the longest-serving member of Utah’s U.S. House delegation and is viewed as a moderate in the manner of Sen. Romney. The incoming senator said he plans to carve out his own brand of conservatism in the post-Romney era of Utah politics, with a focus on bringing Republicans to the table on issues involving climate change.

119th Congress

With ballots still being counted and committee organization about a month away, we will return to the full makeup of these committees when Congress convenes next year. 

The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all people in the U.S. have access to competitive, High-Performance Broadband regardless of where they live or who they are. We believe communication policy - rooted in the values of access, equity, and diversity - has the power to deliver new opportunities and strengthen communities.

© Benton Institute for Broadband & Society 2024. Redistribution of this email publication - both internally and externally - is encouraged if it includes this copyright statement.

For subscribe/unsubscribe info, please email headlinesATbentonDOTorg

Kevin Taglang
Executive Editor, Communications-related Headlines
Benton Institute
for Broadband & Society
1041 Ridge Rd, Unit 214
Wilmette, IL 60091
847-220-4531
headlines AT benton DOT org

Share this edition:

Broadband Delivers Opportunities and Strengthens Communities