Orange County is a hub of business, corporate, education, entertainment and tourism activity known around the world. Likewise, Washington and its politicians and policymakers hand down decisions and distribute funds every day that directly impact life in Orange County. Despite their equal prominence, Washington and the decisions made here do not receive the attention I believe they are due in Orange County.
Orange County’s congressional delegation, lobbyists hired by OC-based companies and local government, and major corporations are all involved in activities in Washington. Much of this activity goes unreported as it happens but nonetheless its end result will directly touch lives, jobs and quality of life in Orange County.
Red County is launching a new column, “OC/DC” – authored by my old friend and political veteran Jeff Solsby – that we hope will change that. Jeff will serve as Washington correspondent, from where he will share with you some news, some opinion, and some insights into the politics, the people and the processes that take place in DC -- and that will ultimately impact your family and mine in OC. Enjoy!
--Jubal
Renowned political analyst Stuart Rothenberg recently wrote in Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call that Democrats will gain 15-20 seats and gain control of the House of Representatives. This wasn’t a joke; it was the work of one of Washington’s most respected political thinkers and analysts.
<>To readers in a Red County, this news may come as quite a shock – but Rothenberg is not the only one in Washington now discussing this scenario.
And while many of us will be hoping for a different outcome, elected officials, business leaders and public policymakers – as well as taxpayers – throughout Orange County would likely feel the impact should the House of Representatives change hands in November and a new party take over for the first time in a decade.
California’s size and the depth of experience within our Congressional Delegation has given our home state innumerable advantages when it came to having a strong presence in Washington and bringing the bacon back home; it also put our elected officials in the highest levels of leadership. County government, local government and businesses of all sizes benefited from having not just a strong Republican-led delegation, but also a slew of California and Orange County-based Republicans who sat in prominent positions on key committees and at the negotiating tables when major national and state issues are hashed-out. Should these members loose their leadership seats, the names and faces will change -- and so too will the approach many in OC take when dealing with DC.
These changes would mean lobbyists working for county and local government agencies would have to rely on new contacts and that local government officials would have to establish relationships with an entirely new set of leaders such as having to re-educate a group of new committee members and staff that are perhaps not so well versed on local projects and local priorities. Of the 21 major committees in the House of Representatives, excluding certain “joint” House-Senate Committees, 6 are led by California Republican Chairman – more than any other state.
In three installments, I’d like to paint a picture of how California’s Congressional Delegation will change should the Democrats regain control of the House of Representatives. In each part, I’ll outline a group of House Committees and what a leadership change might mean in terms of issues and impact for Orange County.
Agriculture:
Current Chairman: Bob Godlatte (R-Virginia)
Possible Dem. Chairman: Colin Peterson (D-Minnesotta)
Peterson is currently the ranking Democrat member of the committee. A major Farm Bill re-authorization is up next year that will likely serve as a vehicle for various industry groups to move legislative concepts. With agriculture dominating California's economy, this issue will be watched despite its seeming incompatability with the suburban nature of OC. Look for issues addressing organic labelling, farm subsidies, speciality crops (like the tomato and strawberry crops in OC) as well as export and import regulations to come before this committee.
Appropriations:
Current Chairman: Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands)
Possible Dem. Chairman: David Obey (D-Wisconsin)
Obey is the ranking Democrat member of the committee and a senior House Democrat. This could be a major blow to Orange County and California as a whole. Countless Southern California public works and government spending projects have been supported with Lewis’ help and the efforts of lobbyists close to him. Perhaps more than any other chairmanship, this loss would be a severe blow to Orange County, its Congressional Delegation and to local and county government leaders seeking federal funding for local projects.
Armed Services:
Current Chairman: Duncan Hunter (R-El Cajon)
Possible Dem. Chairman: Ike Skelton R-Missouri)
Skelton is the ranking Democrat on the committee and while the New York Times indicated in one report about his possible leadership that he was respected on military policy, it also noted he differs from the Republican Administration and Congress by urging plans for exit from Iraq in the event of increased violence. Work in the Armed Services Committee directly impact activities at Los Alamitos, Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station, Camp Pendleton, as well as spending and deployment decisions for the myriad county-based defense contractors and suppliers.
Budget:
Current Chairman: Jim Nussle (R-Iowa)
Possible Dem. Chairman: John Spratt (R-South Carolina)
Spratt is the ranking Democrat on the Committee.
Education and the Workforce:
Current Chairman: Buck McKeon (R-Santa Clarita)
Possible Dem. Chairman: George Miller (D-Richmond)
Californian George Miller would likely assume the chairmanship should the Democrats win the majority in November. Miller is one of a number of long-time, Northern California Democrats who are allies of Nancy Pelosi, the current Democrat leader. This committee, has jurisdiction over workforce and many labor and employer regulations and would likely make a marked turn away from the Bush Administration and Republican Leadership under a new Chairman Miller. Impacts could be felt throughout Orange County’s education establishment, public schools and universities, as well as through major employers and private colleges like Corinthian Colleges, University of Phoenix and others. Student loan providers are another key industry that will be watching this committee.
Financial Services
Current Chairman: Michael Oxley (R-Ohio)
Possible Dem. Chairman: Barney Frank (R-Massachusetts)
California Democrat Maxine Water is in the top 3 on the Democrat side in terms of seniority. Frank, Waters and the committee Democrats have made no secrets of their focus on “affordable housing” issues that could have impacts on many of the county’s builders, developers and investors. Further, lenders such as Irvine-based Option One and New Century as well as Orange-based Ameriquest would find themselves in the jurisdiction of a new Chairman Frank potentially examining the industry policies for prime and sub-prime lending alike. Newport Beach-based Pacific Life, Costa Mesa-based PacifiCare and others in the insurance and investment field would likely face new challenges from this committee. Frank is one of the most intelligent Members of Congress and enjoys good working relationships with the committee’s Republicans including Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) and John Campbell (R-Irvine), but as they say in the business: past performance is not an indicator of future expectations.
Government Reform
Current Chairman: Tom Davis (R-Virginia)
Possible Dem. Chairman: Henry Waxman (D-Los Angeles)
One of the most outspoken and persistent critics of the current administration and the Republican Congress, Waxman would likely lead with an aggressive gavel and far-reaching agenda should he become Chairman Waxman. Of questionable direct impact to County residents, his committee however, would likely delve into investigations of numerous supposed transgressions committed by a variety of Bush Administration agencies, among other issues.
Homeland Security
Current Chairman: Peter King (R-New York)
Possible Dem. Chairman: Bennie Thompson (D-Mississippi)
Thompson is the ranking Democrat on this committee, led by Christopher Cox since its creation in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks, until Cox was named to lead the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Republican Dan Lungren is the only California Republican on the committee; Orange County Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez is number one in seniority behind Thompson and enjoys a prominent role alongside fellow California Congresswomen Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose) and Jane Harman (D-El Segundo). Expect a legislative agenda critical of the Bush Administration and hearings addressing all manner of current policies under a new Chairman Thompson.
Stay tuned for the next installment as well as updates on the last days of this year's Congressional legislative session.
California elects way more democrats to the congress and the next speaker would likely be Nancy Pelosi. And it is not as if we here in the OC are completely shafted either, Sanchez will be able to pull weight for the rest of us.
Maybe we will get some more transit money too.
Posted by: aj | September 13, 2006 at 08:40 AM
Laddie freakin da, all we need is some DC "correspondent" trying to get in on the OC fun.
Posted by: Steve | September 14, 2006 at 12:05 AM