WDET News
- California Congressman Challenges Dingell Chairmanship
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Nov 6, 2008GeneralOnly days after Democrats pledged to work for unity…a fight is brewing among House leaders on Capitol Hill over who will chair the influential Energy and Commerce Committee.
Detroit Public Radio’s Quinn Klinefelter has more…
For about three decades Michigan Democrat John Dingell has chaired Energy and Commerce…a committee that routinely deals with issues ranging from health care to fuel economy standards.
Now Dingell’s chairmanship is being challenged…by California Representative Henry Waxman.
Congressional staffers say Dingell and Waxman have had something of a long-running feud in the House.
But Waxman…backed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi…reportedly is concerned that Dingell will delay new alternative energy legislation the incoming Obama Administration is pushing for.
Dingell represents the district that serves as the headquarters for the Ford Motor Company.
Sources close to Dingell counter that California lawmakers are upset that the Michigan Congressman has pushed for federal fuel standards…rather than allowing individual states to set their own guidelines.