Commerce Department Nominee Evans Headed for Quick Confirmation

(January 6, 2001) The Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing on the nomination of Donald Evans to be Secretary of Commerce on January 4. Senators praised Evans, and pledged their support.

Evans is a former energy company CEO and former President of the Board of Regents of the University of Texas.

Committee members praised Evans, and took the opportunity to press Evans about issues handled by the Dept. of Commerce. Senators spoke about 3G wireless, digital divides, extending the Internet tax moratorium, promoting broadband deployment, TOP grants, online privacy, and other tech issues.

The non tech issues addressed by Senators included protecting the U.S. steel industry, the census, NOAA, global warming, and the sale of positions on trade missions to political contributors during the Clinton administration.

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) praised Evans. Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) said "I have no doubt at all about your capability to perform." Sen. Conrad Burns (R-MT) said "I am delighted by his appointment."  Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) said "I will look forward to supporting your nomination with enthusiasm." Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) said "I is my intention to support your nomination." Sen. Max Cleland (D-GA) said "you have my support and my friendship." Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS) said, "You are going to do an excellent job as Secretary of Commerce." Sen. Kay Hutchison (R-TX) gave Evans a glowing introduction from the witness table, and then took her seat on the Committee.

No member of the Committee stated opposition to the nomination. None expressed any criticism of the nominee. Sen. Ernest Hollings (D-SC), who presided, added, however, that "next week" several more Senators would be added to the Committee, and their views are not yet know.

Evans made some statements regarding his views on technology related issues. "My mission for the Department of Commerce will be to foster a marketplace where ideas and energy can thrive, where the entrepreneurial spirit will flourish." He continued in his opening statement that "whether in seeking agreement on rules for e-commerce or the elimination of trade distorting subsidies, we want to foster a world of private, not government competition."

Evans addressed intellectual property rights. "Fostering America's technological leadership will be a central concern of the Commerce Department under my leadership. American inventiveness is a nation treasure. The great inventors of our history, from Edison and Bell to McCormick and Whitney, would marvel at the power and reach of American technology and its swift contributions to our standard of living."

"The words of Lincoln that are chiseled in stone above the Commerce Department's entryway on 15th Street remind us of a key mission: It is our patent system, Lincoln noted, that has 'added the fuel of interest to the fire of genius.' The nation's security and prosperity rely on the promise of effective intellectual property protection."

Evans did not go into detail in either his opening statement, or during questions and answers, about export controls on encryption products or high performance computers. However, he did say this: "Maximizing competitive opportunity also results from the establishment of appropriate industrial standards, from the exploitation of new technologies and new means of doing business, and from the predictable, common sense administration of controls on exports of strategically important goods."

Evans was asked about Third Generation (3G) wireless services during the question and answer session. He stated that he had only become aware of the issue in the last few days, but that "I know how important that issue is."

Evans also addressed Internet taxes. He said that he and President Elect Bush oppose taxes on Internet access and supported the moratorium, but also that "we are sensitive to what it might mean to the tax base" of state and local governments.

The members of the Committee who participated in all or part of the hearing included: Ernest Hollings (D-SC), John McCain (R-AZ), Max Cleland (D-GA), Byron Dorgan (D-ND) Daniel Inouye (D-HI), John Kerry (D-MA), Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Sam Brownback (R-KS), Conrad Burns (R-MT), Kay Hutchison (R-TX), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Ted Stevens (R-AK).

Sen. Phil Gramm (R-TX) and Sen. Kay Hutchison (R-TX) introduced Evans. Rep. Jennifer Dunn (R-WA), who is rumored to be in the running for U.S. Trade Representative, attended, but did not participate in, the hearing.