Musical Chairs in the House. Waxman Wrests Energy and Commerce from Dingell, but Who'll Be Taking Oversight?

US Representative Henry Waxman (D Hollywood) who has been very active at the head of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee was able to win the leadership of the Energy and Commerce Committee from it's long time chairman John D. Dingell who has often been criticized for having too close ties to the auto industry, like, for example, a wife who is has been an executive at General Motors for many years. according to the New York Times report by John M. Broder "Democrats Oust Longtime Leader of House Panel".

Dingell is considered responsible for slowing reform in the Detroit automobile manufacturing companies, and Waxman is thought to be ready to press on alternative energy solutions and more fuel efficient cars.

So, of course, Detroit is apoplectic according to the Times as I imagine the big Energy companies are, but Energy and Commerce's portfolio can include almost every measure the House has to deal with.  According to the Times Chairman Dingell had a picture of the earth up in his office to remind people of the scope of his concerns.

I'm a bit concerned because the right wing will use the publicity about this to mask the fact that the Republican party did the most to block alternative energy sources and automobile efficiency in the last two decades voting down Clinton/Gore proposals  and then going hog wild in the Bush administration.

Higher CAFE standards?  Nyet!  Tax cuts for buying SUVs?  Oh yes we like! 

According to the Union of Concerned Scientists the 2003 tax cut package sponsored by the Bush administration increased the tax cut for buying a vehicle over 6000 lbs (this weight was low enough to include minivans and family SUVs though it was originally meant for larger trucks for businesses) from $25k to 75k, but Republicans in Congress didn't think that was enough and raised it to $100k.  

A 2002 attempt to raise CAFE (mandatory mileage) standards minimally on automobiles was shot down.  I remember at the time reading that such votes were almost completely along party lines.  (Senator Zell Miller of Georgia and a few other Congressionals usually being Democratic rebels in these kinds of bills.) For confirmation, info on that is found about halfway down a SEMA News page.  We can see though from this Congressional record page that fuel efficiency arguments started in 2001. 

It took until the Democrats regained  the leadership of Congress before CAFE standards were sent to the White House.  Then Bush took credit for them as he signed the bill.   I can't be certain he didn't ask for them, but its funny to imagine.

I've seen sources in which Rep. Dingell claimed to be interested in higher CAFE standards, though there is a difference between  saying you support them and really fighting for them.

And I figure Nancy Pelosi, and the other House leaders know what they're doing.  

But, let's not forget who they were that fought mightly against higher CAFE standards, and for bigger tax breaks for gas guzzlers. It was Republicans.

Dingell wasn't leading that charge. 

And to get to the question about who will replace Waxman in his old position read "CQ Politics: Towns Likely Choice to Lead House Oversight Panel"  

tags: john dingell  energy and commerce  oversight reforn  henry waxman  

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