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Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) bolstered his support Monday in his fight to remain chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, announcing support from a new Blue Dog Democrat and a large batch of centrist conservation organizations. A group of 36 conservation groups, largely hunting and wildlife groups such as the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and Ducks Unlimited, banded together to write a letter in support of Dingell. They were joined in separate letters by two other groups, American Rivers and Trout Unlimited. Dingell, an avid outdoorsman, has long been an ally of sportsmen's groups and pro-gun organizations. The list does not include many of the organizations that lobby most aggressively for legislation to regulate climate change, but their letters address Dingell’s efforts on climate change legislation. “His work during the 110th Congress has laid the groundwork for the House to pass substantive and well considered climate change legislation in the upcoming Congress,” said the letter from the wildlife groups. Climate change is one of the key issues in Rep. Henry Waxman’s (D-Calif.) effort to oust Dingell as chairman of the committee. It is a likely top priority of an Obama administration, and Dingell has clashed with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on how quickly and aggressively to move on stricter restrictions.
Dingell on Monday also won the support of Rep. Dennis Moore (D-Kan.), the Blue Dog’s co-chairman for policy. Moore offered his endorsement in a letter that highlighted the support of five other Blue Dogs, including two fellow co-chairmen. The letter prominently mentions their Blue Dog membership.
“The chairman understands that the different factions of our caucus must work together to produce legislation that benefits all of our constituents,” the letter said. “He has earned the privilege of leading the committee during the 111th Congress.”
Blue Dog support for Dingell is not surprising, given that the race falls along the liberal-conservative fault lines of the Democratic Caucus.
But Dingell has also lined up the support of key liberal members, like Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), while Blue Dog Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.) is a member of Waxman’s “whip team.”
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