The Democrats lost control of the House in the 2010 Mid-Term elections held this week, with Republicans winning at least 60 seats formerly held by Democrats. During the upcoming 24-day Lame Duck session to be convened later this month to take care of unfinished business from the 111th Congress, it is expected that only "must do" action items - like funding the government and extending the Bush tax cuts - will see any action. There is still a possibility that the GRID Act (to enhance the cybersecurity of the bulk power grid) and the Spectrum Inventory Act (posting critical infrastructure licensing information on a publically-accessible website) may be brought up for consideration. However, it is highly unlikely any action will be taken on Renewal Energy Standards (RES) or comprehensive cybersecurity bills.
The election results sent a resounding message to the lawmakers that they should focus on reducing the national debt and growing the economy, not more government programs and deficit spending. Such an atmosphere could potentially threaten efforts to allocate the 700 D to Public Safety because of the loss of auction revenue. Further, no more money is likely to be appropriated for renewable energy efforts or smart grid.
A surprise shift in power was seen in the loss of VA Congressman Rick Boucher, Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet, to Republican Morgan Griffith. This will have a significant effect on the committee as Boucher has been a strong figure on telecommunications and technology legislation. While Committee assignments and chair appointments will not be finalized until sometime in January, Reps. Barton (TX), Upton (MI) and Shimkus (IL) have all been mentioned as possible chairs of the Energy and Commerce Committee. UTC will continue to provide members updates on these results and the impact on the committees and pending legislation.