Rift Over Key Committee Post Threatens To Distract Democrats From Agenda

By GREG HITT

WASHINGTON -- A fight is intensifying over whether Democratic Rep. John Dingell should continue to head the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee, fraying unity among House Democrats soon after they widened their majority in the chamber.

Rep. Henry Waxman of California said the day after the Nov. 4 election that he would challenge Mr. Dingell for the chairmanship. The fight is forcing rank-and-file Democrats to choose sides, and underscores the tensions within the Democratic caucus on high-profile issues such as climate change.

Mr. Dingell, of Michigan, has favored a market approach toward reducing the greenhouse-gas emissions that many scientists say contribute to global warming. Mr. Waxman has pushed for a more-aggressive approach toward cuts.

John Dingell (D., Mich.) is the House's longest-serving current member.
The tiff threatens to distract House Democrats from implementing the policy goals of President-elect Barack Obama and their party. "Congressional committee battles can be more vicious than presidential elections, and can leave lasting scars that can directly affect a president's program," said Larry Sabato, a political-science professor at the University of Virginia.

When asked whether Mr. Waxman's bid is undermining party unity, Waxman spokeswoman Karen Lightfoot said Mr. Waxman believes he is best suited to lead the committee. "Rep. Waxman is running for chairman so he can help President-elect Obama move his legislative agenda," she said. Dingell spokeswoman Jodi Seth said, "This is unhealthy and in no way benefits Democrats or those the party is working to serve."

With Congress out of session, much of the struggle is being played out behind the scenes. Mr. Waxman, who is the second-ranking Democrat on the energy committee after Mr. Dingell and is current chairman of the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee, sent a letter to House Democrats the day after the election seeking their support.

In the letter, Mr. Waxman, 69 years old, stressed that Mr. Dingell's committee, with jurisdiction over health, environmental and energy policy, will play a key role in implementing Mr. Obama's policies. Mr. Waxman said that while he admires Mr. Dingell, the 82-year-old lawmaker will have served as the panel's top Democrat for 28 years as of next year. "I do not take the step of challenging John lightly," Mr. Waxman wrote. "But after 28 years, we need new leadership."

Power Play

The Showdown: A competition has emerged for the top post on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over health, environmental and energy policy and is expected to play a key role in implementing President-elect Barack Obama's proposals.

The Contenders: Rep. Henry Waxman of California is challenging Rep. John Dingell of Michigan, who has been the top Democrat on the committee for nearly 28 years.

Unity Threatened: Rank-and-file Democrats eventually may have to vote to resolve the chairmanship issue.

Democratic Rep. George Miller of California, chairman of the Education and Labor Committee, is helping to rally support for Mr. Waxman, congressional aides said. They said Mr. Waxman hopes to secure backing from the California delegation, which has more than 50 members, and from liberals who dominate the caucus.

Mr. Dingell is circulating his own letter touting the committee's accomplishments. He noted that 91 bills sponsored by the committee were passed by the House over the past two years, with 27 of those signed into law. The lawmaker has also called members to seek their support. More than a dozen Democrats from the caucus, including liberal Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. of Illinois and moderate Rep. John Tanner of Tennessee, have formed a group to solidify support for Mr. Dingell.

Mr. Dingell's wife, Debbie, who is an executive at General Motors Corp. and a force in Democratic politics in her own right, has also been making phone calls and helping to rally support among Democrats. She declined to comment.

Mr. Dingell, who was first elected to the House in 1955 and is its longest-serving current member, has said he doesn't plan to give up the chairmanship.

Supporters of the men said both have wide support. Some lawmakers, however, suggested they don't want to be caught in the middle. Asked about the fight, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, a Maryland Democrat, said he wouldn't comment on the "intramurals."

The conflict could come to a head later this month, when lawmakers are set to gather on Capitol Hill to begin organizing for the 111th Congress, which will formally convene in January. A steering committee of senior Democrats will make an initial determination on how to resolve the chairmanship issue, and the question could eventually be put to a vote in the caucus.

Mr. Dingell's state is home to the country's three largest auto makers. He is a longtime ally of the industry and is seen as being more sympathetic toward business than Mr. Waxman when it comes to environmental and energy issues. Mr. Dingell favors a market approach toward reducing greenhouse-gas emissions that his aides say reflects his understanding of the potential challenges of passing a bill to curb emissions.

Critics have complained that Mr. Dingell isn't aggressive enough. Mr. Waxman has pushed for a program that would impose more-aggressive limits on emissions, and he has disagreed with Mr. Dingell's argument that states shouldn't be allowed to take tougher action on emissions than the federal government.

Mr. Dingell, in his letter, said he would address climate change next year, along with health care and food safety. It would be an "honor and privilege" to serve again, he said in the letter.

Write to Greg Hitt at greg.hitt@wsj.com