And now we know: Representative Henry Waxman beats out Representative John Dingell, 137 to 122 in a vote among the Democratic House caucus, to chair the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Liberals FTW! I noted yesterday that Waxman’s chances seem to be improving, and clearly that worked out today.
This is good news for liberals. Waxman runs a mean committee — his previous work on the House Oversight Committee had been exemplary — and it spells hope for the success of an aggressive energy bill and even improvements on telecommunications policy. And with former Waxman aide Phil Schiliro running Obama’s legislative outreach shop in the White House, there looks to be plenty of synergy between the two branches this spring.
–Tim Fernholz
