By: Randy Evans
When the 114th Congress of the United States convenes, Georgians will lose 54 years of seniority as a result of the retirement of Georgia’s senior senator, Saxby Chambliss. At the time he leaves office, Sen. Chambliss will have served 20 years in Congress — eight years in the House of Representatives and 12 years in the Senate.
Beyond just the time, Saxby Chambliss’ service in Congress is notable. For example, his position on the Senate Armed Services Committee helped protect Georgia military installations during the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure round, including to the extent possible Georgia bases targeted for closure.
More significantly, while in the House of Representatives, he served on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and chaired the House Intelligence Subcommittee on Terrorism and Homeland Security, which was responsible for the Intelligence Committee’s investigations after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
His experience was invaluable in the Senate where he served as the vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. In addition, Sen. Chambliss served as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry, the Senate Rules Committee, and the Senate Special Committee on Aging. For Georgians, these were all critically important committees. In the Senate, they carried with them enormous power.
But, it is not only Sen. Chambliss’ seniority that Georgians will lose at the end of next year. Three Georgia congressmen have also decided to leave their current positions to pursue his Senate seat. Each will be replaced with “freshmen” members of Congress. The total seniority lost for these three members is also notable.
First Congressional District Rep. Jack Kingston has served in the U.S. Congress since 1993. When he leaves the House next year, he will have served 22 years.
Like Sen. Chambliss, he holds some impressive positions. In just his second term, he was appointed to the powerful House Appropriations Committee. Currently, Congressman
Kingston serves as the chairman of the Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Subcommittee. He is also the senior member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.
Then, there is 11th District Congressman Phil Gingrey, who was elected in 2002 and took office in 2003. When he leaves the House next year, Georgians will lose another 12 years of seniority in the House.
Congressman Gingrey serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee, the House Administration Committee, and the Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. He is also the chair of the GOP Doctors Caucus.
Finally, there is 10th District Congressman Paul Broun, who was elected and took office in 2007. When he leaves the House next year, Georgia will lose another eight years of seniority in the House.
Congressman Broun serves as the chairman of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee for the Committee on Science, Space and Technology. He also serves on the House Committee on Homeland Security and the Republican Study Committee.
In all, the departures of Saxby Chambliss, Jack Kingston, Phil Gingrey and Paul Broun represent 54 years of seniority (not including Sen. Chambliss’ eight years in the House of Representatives). This includes positions on powerful committees, chairmanships and other influential posts.
Of course, Georgia has a long history of powerful people in Congress. Richard Russell served Georgia from 1933 until 1971. He served as chairman of the Armed Services Committee, then chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, and finally as the president pro tempore of the U.S. Senate. Indeed, his influence was so great that he has a building named after him — the Richard B. Russell Senate Office Building.
More recently, Sen. Sam Nunn achieved significant position and power as the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee during his term, which lasted from 1972 to 1997. Like Sen. Chambliss, Sen. Nunn retired from the Senate citing a lack of “zest and enthusiasm.”
And, of course, there was Speaker Newt Gingrich, the leader of the Republican Revolution and the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 until 1999. Between balancing the budget and reforming welfare, he was one of Georgia’s most historic and powerful politicians.
In the past, with each departure of a Georgia senator or congressman, there have been others to step up. With Sen. Chambliss’ departure, Sen. Isakson will become the senior senator from Georgia. If the Republicans regain control of the Senate, his star can rise even faster than it already has.
In the House, Congressmen Tom Price and Lynn Westmoreland will undoubtedly continue their rise through the leadership with the help of a strong and sizable Georgia delegation. If the Republicans retain control of the House, both will see their stars continue to rise.
Yet, 54 years and all those committees and chairmanships is a lot to lose at one time. But, it is the nature of politics — things change.