He is not a fan of term limits on House committee chairmanships, which — at least for now — are set at six years. Waxman believes panel chairmen should not be selected solely by seniority, either.
Pressed on how young Democrats can move up the ranks without panel-chairman term limits, Waxman pauses again. There is no easy answer, but he gives one.
“I think seniority should count for a lot more than I used to think,” Waxman said. “I think, on the other hand, that it shouldn’t be the only factor when people are chosen for committee responsibilities.”
Waxman, who rallied behind Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s (D-N.Y.) failed healthcare bill in the 1990s, is in the minority of congressional Democrats who have not endorsed a presidential candidate.
“I would prefer that we not had this contest going on as long as it has been going on, but I think it makes our nominees stronger, unless it gets too personal in their attacks on each other, because that can be used by the Republicans in the November election.”
On Sen. Barack Obama’s (D-Ill.) controversial “bitter” comment, the 68-year-old legislator believes “there is a lot of truth to what he had to say [but it] might have been professed differently.”
Waxman’s desk is filled with papers, though it appears organized. A stunning view of the Capitol dome forms the backdrop behind Waxman’s chair, though the framed pictures of presidential signing ceremonies give the Rayburn office its character. They are everywhere.
In their Capitol Hill offices, some members proudly display animals they have hunted. Waxman is a different kind of hunter.
“The bill signings are his equivalent of a trophy wall,” said Phil Schiliro, chief of staff of Waxman’s panel.
Waxman appears comfortable in his own skin, and people who know him say he’s always been comfortable where he is — in the House. Unlike many of his colleagues, Waxman has not viewed his House seat as a steppingstone to higher office.
Along those lines, Waxman takes the long view on making laws. Whether it’s combating AIDS, bolstering the Clean Air Act or regulating pesticides, Waxman has taken a methodical approach.
Healthcare reform and climate change are high on Waxman’s extensive legislative wish list, though he knows they will not come easily.
Waxman is a team player, doling out political contributions to vulnerable freshmen and $250,000 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
“Winning is not enough if you don’t win it all,” he said, lifting his mug of black coffee. “You need the presidency and then 60 votes in the Senate.”
Waxman’s staff is loyal, to say the least. He has 10 aides who have worked for him for at least a decade, including health policy director Karen Nelson (more than 25 years) and staff director Phil Barnett (18 years).
Schiliro, who has worked for Waxman for more than a quarter-century, said, “Because of Chairman Waxman and the remarkable people I work with, some days my biggest challenge is not to mess anything up.”
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman (D-Calif.) has known Waxman since they were Young Democrats together at UCLA more than 40 years ago.
“He has been involved and has done incredible work in the area of health, environment and clean air,” Berman said. “He has very strong beliefs. He plans. He thinks through his strategies and he’s tenacious.”
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