Appropriations Chief May Quit

In comments that caught colleagues by surprise, House Appropriations Chairman Robert Livingston, R-La., today said he is considering retiring at the end of the 105th Congress.

"I'm considering it," Livingston told CongressDaily, echoing comments made Wednesday to the Baton Rouge Advocate. "I haven't made up my mind. I'll decide in a few weeks."

One source familiar with Livingston's frame of mind said the chairman is "serious" about the possibility. Livingston's departure would leave open a key leadership spot that has been a lightning rod for much ideological squabbling among House Republicans.

Adding uncertainty are comments by House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman C.W. (Bill) Young, R-Fla., who would be next in line for the chairmanship. Young told CongressDaily he might want to keep his subcommittee chairmanship, rather than chair the full committee.

In an interview today, Livingston said he will be 55 years old in a few months, adding, "One has to think about these things." In addition, under House term limits rules, he would lose his chairmanship in 2002. "There are a lot of factors that will weigh in my decision," he said, but added, "One ought not read too much into it."

Nonetheless, Rep. Jim McCrery, R-La., said Livingston is seriously thinking about leaving, although he said he has not discussed the possibility with Livingston recently. He said Livingston has "expressed how difficult this job has been," adding: "He's had, without a doubt, the hardest job in Congress. He's done a masterful job, but it has taken its toll." McCrery also said Livingston's "pet peeve" has been that the salaries of members of Congress are not commensurate with the duties. McCrery said he plans to try to convince Livingston to stay. "I'm going to try to talk him out of it," he said.

Conservative House Republicans--who have clashed with Livingston during the past few years--also said they did not want the chairman to leave. "It would be horrible," said Rep. John Shadegg, R-Ariz. Rep. David McIntosh, R-Ind., added: "We'll want to make sure that whoever is chairman would be someone with conservative principles. But right now, you'll see conservatives focusing on convincing Bob to stay."

If Livingston were to retire, the line of succession is not clear. When Republicans took over in 1995, House Speaker Gingrich jumped over several "old bulls" whom conservatives believed worked too closely with Democrats and chose Livingston.

After Livingston, House Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Joseph McDade, R-Pa., would be in line, but he already has announced his retirement. After that, Young would be in line, but he said, "I really love the job I have now," adding that changing jobs would "be a big decision." He said the defense job "is a job I wanted and I worked hard to get it."

Shadegg said while he did not want to speculate, he added: "Who leads the Appropriations Committee was a significant issue last time. It would be a significant issue this time."