The Spin Within

This was an important week in Washington for JZM clients who are leaders in the field of data-use marketing and have an intense interest in privacy protection legislation.

Michigan Republican congressman Fred Upton was named chairman of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee, the panel with primary jurisdiction over privacy issues, including the so-called “do not track” legislation. Of significance is the fact that Upton won the leadership post over Joe Barton, of Texas, a lawmaker who has been outspoken on the importance of privacy protection and said as recently as last month the issue would be a high priority in 2011. Barton made headlines earlier this year, and undoubtedly lost some support, when he apologized to BP during the Gulf oil spill and then back peddled from his statement.

Upton said Friday his legislative priorities include repealing President Obama’s healthcare law, cutting spending, eliminating job killing regulations, fortifying energy security and creating jobs. The breadth of the Energy and Commerce Committee’s legislative responsibility is massive. It includes national energy policy, health and health facilities, auto emissions, consumer protection, regulation of nuclear energy, energy conservation, and interstate and foreign commerce.

It’s unclear if Barton will take the helm of the Energy and Commerce subcommittee with primary responsibility for the bulk of the committee’s work on privacy protection legislation. Upton said this week the subcommittee chairmanships will be filled in the days ahead.

Another top privacy protection advocate, Virginia Democrat Rick Boucher, lost his bid for re-election in November.