The sweeping Republican party victory in U.S. midterm elections last week won't translate into sweeping energy and environmental legislative reforms in the next Congress.
But those who work on Washington's Capitol Hill face revolutionary changes. Democrats held a 256-178 majority in the House before the election (one seat was independent), and now Republicans have a 230-204 majority (again with one independent). They last controlled the House in 1952-54.
Entrenched House committee staffs will be turned upside down. A new chairman in every committee means new personnel and new agendas. But Republican chairmen will have to yield power more diplomatically than Democrats did because they will have slim majorities on most panels.
COMMITTEE CHAINMEN
It is hard to picture the pugnacious John Dingell (D-Mich.) not presiding over the House energy and commerce committee, but the gavel should pass to the affable Carlos Moorhead (R-Calif.).
Also in the House, Michael Bilirakis (R-Fla.) is in line to preside on the energy and power subcommittee. That's where most oil and gas legislation originates. Former chairman Phil Sharp (D-Ind.) did not seek reelection.
The merchant marine and fisheries committee, chaired by Gerry Studds (D-Nlass.), handles offshore issues. Proleasing Jack Fields (R-Tex.) is due to take over.
Oil industry gadfly George Miller (D-Calf.) headed the natural resources committee, which originates onshore leasing bills. Don Young (R-Alaska) should take over.
Sam Gibbons (D-Fla.) headed the tax writing ways and means committee after Dan Rostenkowski (D-Ill.) was forced to step down. Bill Archer (R-Tex.) is the ranking Republican.
In the Senate, Democrats held a 56-44 majority but now are a 53-47 minority. Republicans last controlled the Senate in 1980-86, so change will not be as radical there.
For example, the tax drafting finance committee, chaired by Daniel P. Moynihan (D-N.Y.), will go back to Bob Packwood (R-Ore.). And John Chafee (R-R.I.) once again will head the environment and public works committee, now chaired by Max Baucus (D-Mont.).
In the energy committee, a strong petroleum industry advocate, Frank Murkowski (k-Alaska), will take over from another staunch industry advocate, Bennett Johnston (D-La.). That assumes Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) will take the budget committee.
KEY ISSUES
The Republican victory does not signal revived congressional interest in energy policy, although it may make it easier to pass an oil industry relief measure that might include exports of Alaskan North Slope oil and tax credits for marginal production (OGJ, Sept. 19, p. 22).
The change in Congress should have a moderating effect when lawmakers begin to reauthorize big environmental bills such as the Clean Water and Superfund acts.
Alaskans Young and MurkoNvski are certain to use their bully pulpits to push for leasing of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Coastal Plain. But in the unlikely event a leasing bill passed, President Clinton surely would veto it.
Copyright 1994 Oil & Gas Journal. All Rights Reserved.
