Dingell Counters Waxman's Bid For Chair Of House Energy And Commerce Committee

Main Category: Health Insurance / Medical Insurance
Also Included In: Public Health;  Regulatory Affairs / Drug Approvals;  Water - Air Quality / Agriculture
Article Date: 10 Nov 2008 - 11:00 PDT

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House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair John Dingell (D-Mich.) countered House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chair Henry Waxman's (D-Calif.) bid to seek Dingell's position on Thursday by sending a letter to all Democratic caucus members asking for their support, CQ Today reports. In the letter, Dingell cited his track record for moving "enormously complex and difficult legislation" as the chief reason why he should remain chair (Davenport, CQ Today, 11/6). The letter also laid out Dingell's plans to aggressively take up health care, climate change and food and drug safety legislation (Newmyer, Roll Call, 11/6). Both Dingell and Waxman began telephoning other lawmakers to garner support.

According to CQ Today, Waxman's challenge might be intended to incite debate over Dingell's high-profile global warming legislation, on which the committee likely will focus next year. Waxman is expected to gain support from the more liberal members of the caucus who have pressed for stronger legislation on climate change in the past and want to seize the opportunity to achieve this goal. CQ Today reports that Waxman also has a "strong interest in health care financing," another issue which is expected to be a priority of the committee in 2009 (CQ Today, 11/6).

Roll Call reports that sources said Democrats might strike a deal with Waxman to avoid an "embarrassing public showdown between the two Democratic titans, just as the party prepares to usher in a strengthened majority." Some Democrats reportedly have suggested offering Waxman the position in the next Congress in return for a concession now (Roll Call, 11/6).

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