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House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman John
Dingell, fighting for his gavel, is seeking to demonstrate that he is in tune
with President-elect Barack Obama by emphasizing their common goal of
overhauling healthcare. In a letter sent to Obama released Tuesday, Dingell
(D-Mich.) urged swift action on healthcare reform and emphasized that he has
already been working with the Illinois senator’s team on the top policy
priority.
“I am eager to work with you to make this happen, and I
appreciate that your transition team has been in contact with my staff to chart
the path forward,” Dingell wrote.
Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) is challenging Dingell for
his chairmanship of the committee, which has jurisdiction over much of the
Obama agenda, including healthcare, energy and climate change.
A key factor in Waxman’s challenge was Dingell’s
resistance to stronger fuel efficiency and climate change regulation, because
he is considered the protector of the Detroit auto industry.
But Dingell has introduced a national healthcare bill in
every new Congress since he came to the body in the 1950s. He noted that in his
letter, seeking to demonstrate his solidarity with Obama and more liberal
Democrats on what could be the thorniest issue for the new Democratic
administration. In the Democratic presidential primary this year, Dingell
supported Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.), while Waxman supported Obama.
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