The speculation has begun over who will take over as top Democrat on the House telecom subcommittee. It’s a coveted position among lawmakers and its jurisdiction includes broadband, 5G and media ownership, among other areas.
The position will open in early 2023, when Pennsylvania Democrat Rep. Mike Doyle leaves Congress after more than a quarter-century. Among his potential successors are senior Democrats like Reps. G.K. Butterfield (D-SC) and Doris Matsui (D-CA). Matsui is Doyle’s vice chair on the subcommittee and co-chairs the House Spectrum Caucus, notes Politico.
Doyle replaced Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) as the subcommittee’s top Democrat in 2017, and became chair in 2019. He has pushed for aggressive investment to build out broadband internet infrastructure and better coordination on 5G spectrum. Doyle has also helped shape recent debates over infrastructure spending.
Industry Lauds Doyle
The telecom and broadcast industries praised the lawmaker. NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association, congratulated Doyle on his retirement. “Throughout his chairmanship on the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, Chairman Doyle provided thoughtful leadership and showed that he had a deep understanding of our industry,” Todd Washam, NATE Director of Government Relations and Wireless Industry Network, told Inside Towers.
“NATE thanks Chairman Doyle for his decades of public service and for working closely with NATE on efforts to close the digital divide and support small businesses.”
“Chairman Doyle and I have worked closely together since my days on the FCC,” Wireless Infrastructure Association President/CEO Jonathan Adelstein told Inside Towers. “His steady-handed leadership has made him a force in telecommunications and wireless policy. I’m grateful for his friendship and his 27 years of service in the House. We look forward to continuing to work with the Chairman as he completes his term, and wish him well in all of his future endeavors.”
NAB congratulated Doyle on his retirement and thanked him for his leadership on telecommunications issues while serving as chairman and ranking member of the House Communications and Technology Subcommittee. NAB President/CEO Gordon Smith said: “During his 14 terms in Congress, Rep. Doyle has been diligently focused on serving his constituents and we appreciate his recognition for the vital role local radio and television stations play in his district and in communities across the country. We look forward to continuing to work with him in the 117th Congress and wish him all the best in his next endeavors.”
Why Decide Now to Leave?
Why make a decision now to leave Congress when his term ends? In remarks Monday, the 68-year-old Doyle cited the pandemic and redistricting among his retirement calculations. “Most importantly, my wife and I have discussed how we want to spend our retirement together now that our family is grown and on their own, and I think the pandemic has accelerated those plans.”
Concerning redistricting, Doyle explained, “I believe the time has come to pass the torch to the next generation, this was not an easy decision, and I spent most of this year going back and forth,” he said at a press conference, reported the New York Post. “This is a good transition time for a new member to start in a newly drawn district,” he said. “There are many people who might not consider running if they thought I was going to run, so I want to give them the time and opportunity to do so.”
WPXI-TV reported that Doyle would have faced at least one challenger in the Democratic primary.
Doyle made his announcement with Rep. David Price (D-NC), 81, chairman of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee and the House Democracy Partnership. The announcements come as House Democrats face a series of challenges in retaining control of the lower chamber of Congress. The Doyle and Price retirement news come on the heels of House Budget Committee Chairman John Yarmuth (D-KY) announcing last week he will not seek another term, according to the Post.
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
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