From CQ:
House Democrats on Thursday handed Henry A. Waxman of California the gavel of the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee, toppling veteran Chairman John D. Dingell of Michigan.
The 137-122 Democratic Caucus vote was viewed as a referendum on the party’s future approach to energy and climate policy, as well as a test of the seniority system the party has long used to select committee chairmen and ranking members...
...Waxman’s takeover of the Energy and Commerce caps a quarter-century rivalry between him and Dingell. While they agree on many issues — most notably health care — the two men have clashed since the 1980s over environmental regulations. Waxman, who leans to the left of his party, is an advocate of strong clean air protections and stringent fuel-efficiency and energy conservation measures.
Dingell has been a fierce protector of the auto industry, which is crucial to the economy of his home state of Michigan.
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The article doesn't mention that Dingell's wife is a descendant of one of the families that founded GM and that she is currently a senior executive with the company. But I'm sure there's no real conflict of interest there.
3 comments:
i'm pretty excited about this. almost/kinda/not really makes up for keeping lieberman. and since so many really big things need to happen soon around climate change, waxman is the much better choice.
He better get on the stick because I just read an article saying that 20-25% of the world's mammal species are at risk of extinction, and 50% are experiencing population decline.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/10/06/endangered.mammals.ap/index.html
For me, anytime you can upgrade from a Dingell to a Waxman is a good thing.
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