Washington (Platts)--19Nov2008

Representative Henry Waxman of California won support of a Democratic
advisory panel to replace Michigan Representative John Dingell as chairman of
the House Energy and Commerce Committee. In a 25-22 vote, the Democratic
Policy and Steering Committee recommended November 19 that Waxman be named
head of the energy committee, which has jurisdiction over energy policy and
global warming issues, key concerns to the incoming administration. The full
Democratic caucus will vote by secret ballot November 20 on which lawmaker
will get the chairman post. An aide to Dingell said his boss anticipated
losing the steering committee vote but ultimately expects to beat back his
challenger. "Dingell's appeal has always been [based on] the diversity of the
entire caucus, and his strategy for maintaining the chairmanship is based on
the support he has built caucus-wide, not just in one small committee," the
aide said.