Move to Consolidate TA, NTIA Draws Mixed Reactions on the Hill

Congressional responses to the Administration's recent proposal to merge the Department of Commerce's technology and telecommunications operations into one coordinated agency ranged from a hearty endorsement to dead in the water, according to Capitol Hill-focused news media. House Rules Committee Chairman David Dreier praised the legislation, the National Journal's Technology Daily recently reported, while Senator John McCain, chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, is quoted by the RCR Wireless News as saying, "I don't think there is support for that here."

The 21st Century Innovation Act of 2003, submitted to Congress by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Don Evans on July 17, would combine the Technology Administration (TA), the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and the e-commerce policy functions of the International Trade Administration (ITA) into one agency which would be called the Technology and Telecommunications Administration. A press release accompanying the legislation stated "the change will enable the Department to better serve the technology and telecommunications industries through enhanced coordination in domestic and international policy development."

Technology and telecommunications policies currently fall under the jurisdiction of all three bureaus. Also falling under TA is the National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST), which houses two programs targeted for elimination by the Administration — the Advanced Technology Program and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

The legislation proposes the newly named agency be headed by the Under Secretary for Technology and Telecommunications. However, the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information, Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy, and the Director of NIST would maintain their leadership roles of NTIA, OTP and NIST, respectively. In addition, the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information would remain the telecommunications advisor to the President. All four positions must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

A Question and Answer page on the Technology Administration's (TA) website states the "reorganization could be achieved without any jurisdictional changes. However, the Department feels strongly that Congress should determine the best course of action regarding Congressional oversight."

TA also reports receiving endorsement for the plan from American Electronics Association, Business Software Alliance, CapNet, eBay, Information Technology Association of America, Information Technology Industry Council, TechNet, US Telecom Association, AT&T, SBC, VeriSign and WindRiver Corp.

Reportedly in response to the Administration's merger proposal, McCain introduced the next day and the Senate Commerce Committee quickly passed a reauthorization bill for TA maintaining its current structure. The July 21 RCR Wireless News story reported McCain has no plans to hold hearings on the consolidation this year.

More information on the draft legislation is available at: http://www.technology.gov/PRel/pr071703.htm