WASHINGTON — Democrats steered the House toward more aggressively tackling global warming and other environmental problems Thursday, toppling veteran Michigan Rep. John Dingell, a staunch supporter of Detroit automakers, from an important energy panel in favor of California liberal Rep. Henry Waxman.
The switch could help President-elect Barack Obama on Capitol Hill with one of his favored issues: trying to curb global warming by limiting greenhouse-gas emissions. But Waxman’s combative stance on climate change and other issues could alienate Republicans and moderate Democrats, making it harder to get the bipartisan support Obama will need.
Waxman is an avid environmentalist and booster of health care programs — and a home-state ally of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. He defeated Dingell on a 137-122 vote in the Democratic Party caucus, capping a bruising intraparty fight.
The Energy and Commerce panel is one of the most important House committees, with sweeping jurisdiction over energy, the environment, consumer protection, telecommunications and health care programs such as Medicaid and the popular State Children’s Health Insurance Program.
Dingell has been the top Democrat on the panel for 28 years and is an old-school supporter of Detroit’s carmakers and other big industries such as electric utilities. Pelosi did not publicly take sides in the new vote, but her support of Waxman was well known and played a role in the strong tally.
Waxman likened the first years of the Obama administration to a once-in-a-generation opportunity to get things done.
“The argument we made was that we needed a change for the committee to have the leadership that will work with this administration and members in both the House and the Senate in order to get important issues passed in health care, environmental protection, in energy policy,” Waxman, 69, said after the vote.
Rep. Diana DeGette of Denver did not know whether she would keep her vice-chairwoman post on the committee. Dingell, DeGette’s mentor, put her in that role in 2006.
“The winds of change have blown through Congress today,” DeGette said. “I congratulate Chairman Waxman on his selection.
“I have worked closely with him on issues including the environment and consumer protection and look forward to serving with him to move our nation’s agenda forward.”
Waxman’s spokeswoman did not immediately respond to an e-mail asking whether DeGette would keep her post.
Denver Post staff writer Anne C. Mulkern contributed to this report.
