Blackburn Likely to Fill GOP's Female Void on Senate Judiciary
Tech/telecom-minded Sen.-elect Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., will likely sit on the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2019, lobbyists and industry officials told us. Republican leadership is seeking a female member given the criticism it took for an all-white-male majority reviewing Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court confirmation. Blackburn declined comment.
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Republicans have two committee seats to fill with Sens. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., retiring. The committee likely will add at least one more seat to reflect new ratios after the GOP picked up two Senate seats in the 2018 election. There was speculation Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., might drop from the committee to reflect the chamber’s new balance, but Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, N.Y., announced Thursday Harris and the rest of the committee minority will retain their seats. Asked about the potential for adding members, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., the likely chairman, told us, “I’ve got to talk to [Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.] about that.”
Blackburn appears to be a favorite to fill the female void on Judiciary, said Monument Policy Group tech lobbyist Chan Park. One communications industry official said Blackburn will “definitely” be on Judiciary in 2019. Wiley Rein telecom lobbyist Hap Rigby agreed. A telecom lobbyist said to expect Blackburn to also request a seat on the Senate Commerce Committee, which would position her well for the ongoing data privacy debate (see 1812120036).
Judiciary also makes sense for Blackburn because many Nashville constituents are interested in music copyright and intellectual property issues, one tech lobbyist said. The committee would thrust her into the spotlight for high-profile, partisan judicial battles, and she’s well-suited as a close ally to President Donald Trump, the lobbyist said.
Sen.-elect Josh Hawley, R-Mo., a hawk on tech issues, is interested in joining Judiciary, Park and Rigby said. Hawley defeated Democrat Claire McCaskill. Park said there’s also speculation Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., is a potential GOP add. Offices for Hawley and Cotton didn’t comment.
Another woman floated as a potential Judiciary Committee member is Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa. Her preference is to remain on her current committees, she told us. “I’ll do whatever the leadership wants me to do, but those committees that I’m on are really important to Iowa right now, as well,” she said. “My preference is to stay where I am because I’ve got great committees.” An Iowan, Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley, is already on the committee.
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., told us he’s interested in joining the Senate Finance Committee, and it’s unclear if he would have to give up his Judiciary seat. Judiciary was not Tillis’ choice when he joined the Senate, but he told us he likes the patent, IP and data privacy issues that will be prominent in 2019. “So I plan on staying on it. We’ll see how it works out,” he said, noting Judiciary isn't one of his permanent committees. Tillis’ interest in Finance stems from his tax law background. Asked for a preference for one over the other, he said, “Both.” Tillis has been a “loyal foot soldier” for the party on Judiciary, so McConnell might want to keep him there, Park said.
A McConnell spokesperson said the committee on committees is working on ratios and members, and McConnell will announce decisions once complete. “The expectation is that the committee would add members,” a Senate Judiciary Committee spokesperson emailed Friday. “Rosters won’t be finalized until the beginning of the Congress.”