Henry Waxman, John Dingell Face Off for House Chair

3 years ago

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In what American Prospect blogger Ezra Klein calls "an early test of how serious the House Democratic Caucus is about global warming legislation" two powerful Democratic U.S. Representatives are squaring off over a key House committee chairmanship. California's Henry Waxman will try to oust Michigan's John Dingell from his chairmanship of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

The committee is the most powerful in the House and it will be the focal point of important new health care and energy legislation. The issue here is Dingell's unwillingness to allow legislation that will curb greenhouse gas emissions. Dingell represents Detroit, home of the flagging American auto industry, which has long opposed reforms that would slow global climate change.

The decision between Waxman and Dingell should come Wednesday when the House steering committee votes on the issue. Marc Ambinder of the Atlantic writes, "There's already talk of behind-the-scenes negotiations: maybe Dingell will stay put for another year and then step down. Waxman, and many Democratic colleagues, won't have that."

Filed Under: House, Breaking News, Environment, Energy

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