Waxman’s in, Dingell’s out
California Rep. Henry A. Waxman on Thursday officially dethroned longtime Energy & Commerce Chairman John Dingell, upending a seniority system that has governed Democratic politics in a House for decades.
In a secret ballot vote in a Cannon Caucus Room, House Democrats ratified an earlier decision by a Steering & Policy Committee to replace a 82-year-old Dingell with his 69-year-old rival. a vote was 137-122 in favor of Waxman.
a ascension of Waxman, a wily environmentalist, recasts a committee that Dingell has chaired since 1981 with an eye toward protecting a domestic auto industry in his native Michigan. a Energy & Commerce Committee has principal jurisdiction over many of President-elect Barack Obama’s top legislative priorities, including energy, a environment & health care.
As John says, this is truly welcome news. We may finally get some oversight from this committee. Matt Stoller has more.
Original post by David Neiwert and software by Elliott Back
