A lot of familiar faces were missing as the 110th Congress convened this month with the Democrats taking control for the first time in 12 years. Thirty-eight members of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus (mostly Republicans) retired or were defeated in last November’s midterm election - including some who could be counted on to support fire safety issues. They will be missed. However, on the Democratic side, a group of House and Senate members who have been up-front supporters of the firerescue service moved into top leadership positions in the new Congress.
Leading the pack is Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, who was elected to the powerful post of majority leader, making him the second-highest-ranking offi cer of the House of Representatives. Only Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California ranks higher in the House leadership structure and Hoyer had to overcome her opposition to win his new offi ce. For reasons that are still somewhat mysterious, Pelosi backed Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania, but Hoyer won an overwhelming victory when his peers rallied to his support. It was an impressive demonstration of how much respect Hoyer has earned during his 26 years in Congress.
Throughout his political career, which also includes 12 years in the Maryland state legislature before coming to Congress, Hoyer has been an outspoken advocate on fire safety issues. He has developed a professional working relationship with all of the fire organizations and developed a sharp understanding of the many complex issues that confront the nation’s fire-fi ghters. Whether speaking out publicly or working quietly behind the scenes to accomplish a worthy goal, Hoyer has been one of the best friends firefi ghters have had on Capitol Hill and became known as the man all branches turn to when help is needed.
As majority leader, Hoyer will have tremendous power in setting the agenda and the priorities for the 110th Congress. While many Republicans have been strong supporters of the fire-rescue service, their top leadership in the House and Senate at times seemed reluctant to use their clout to advance legislation like the FIRE Act or SAFER programs when they were threatened or became bogged down in the budget appropriation process. There also were a few powerful GOP chairmen who were openly hostile and deliberately buried fire legislation in their committees or subcommittees.
Along with Hoyer as the House majority leader, other friends of the fire service will now be taking over as committee chairmen. Rep. Bennie G. Th ompson of Mississippi, a former volunteer firefi ghter, is the new chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, where Rep. Bill Pascrell of New Jersey will head the subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness and Response. On the Senate side, Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia is expected to become chairman of the powerful Appropriations Committee, whichis where spending bills like the FIRE Act and SAFER live or die. In the past, Senator Byrd seemed to come up with money from a magician’s handkerchief when others tried to divert funds away from a fire program. Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut, always a strong supporter of first responders, was re-elected as an "independent," but organized with the Senate Democrats and will head their Homeland Security committee.
These are only a few of the major changes taking place, but it gives you an idea of how the power lineup has changed as a result of the midterm election. Looking back at the last time the Democrats had a majority in Congress, I don’t recall that fire legislation did any better than it has under the last 12 years of Republican rule. However, it’s possible that a bill like the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act - which provides federal tax breaks for owners who retrofit their buildings with sprinklers - might have a better chance of breaking out of committees with the Democrats in control.
For now, everyone is talking about "bipartisanship" in the hope that something can be accomplished with a lame duck president in the White House and the opposition party in power on Capitol Hill. More realistically, both sides are expecting bitter partisan wrangling on every issue as they approach the 2008 presidential election, especially with a dozen senators in both parties planning to be candidates. The conduct of the war in Iraq will dominate the debates for the foreseeable future and only the basic legislation that’s needed to keep the government running will have much chance of being passed.
Nevertheless, the fire organizations will push their agenda to maintain and strengthen the programs already in place. Beyond that, they will continue to fi ght the battle for fire safety. When it comes to response to all types of disasters - not just terrorism - they may find that the new leaders of Congress are more willing to listen.
