Waxman Power Play Could Have Huge Impact on Mileage, Emissions Standards

Waxman Power Play Could Have Huge Impact on Mileage, Emissions Standards

By Scott Doggett November 7, 2008

By Scott Doggett, Contributor

For years, members of Congress have been saying we needed to have more aggressive fuel-economy standards. And for years--32 to be precise--Detroit's automakers have lobbied aggressively to prevent that from happening.

The person the car companies have routinely turned to to fight their battles in Washington is Democratic Representative John Dingell of Michigan (right), the longest serving current member of the House and second-longest serving member in our nation's history.

For more than half a century, Dingell has fought virtually every regulation the automakers have opposed, from seatbelts and airbags to tailpipe emissions and fuel-efficiency standards. His position as chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce has given him enormous influence over such matters.

For nearly as long as Dingell has been in office, critics have charged that elected officials such as him are far too beholden to large corporate interests to regulate them in a socially responsible manner.

One of those critics is Democratic Representative Henry Waxman of California, who has been as strong advocate of fuel-efficiency standards and legislation curbing greenhouse-gas emissions. And this week Waxman stated his intentions to replace Dingell as chairman of the Commerce Committee in a power play the chairmen of the Detroit 3 can only dread.

On Wednesday, Waxman (left) released the following statement:

"When the new Congress starts in January, we will face unprecedented opportunities and challenges. The public expects Congress and President-elect Obama to work together to find solutions to the nation's most pressing problems. But the issues we will confront are immensely difficult. We will need the very best leadership in Congress and our committees to succeed.

"That is why after long thought I have decided to seek the chairmanship of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. Some of the most important challenges we face--energy, climate change, and health care--are under the jurisdiction of the Commerce Committee. In large measure, our success as Congress will depend on how the Commerce Committee performs.

"Enacting comprehensive energy, climate, and health care reform will not be easy. But my record shows that I have the skill and ability to build consensus and deliver legislation that improves the lives of all Americans."

Health Care, Tobacco and Environment

Waxman, who is chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, is the No. 2 ranking member of the Commerce Committee. In three decades as a lawmaker, the 69-year-old Congressman has been a leading supporter of universal health care, tobacco regulation and environmental protections.

From that position atop the Oversight Committee, he has led an investigation over whether the Bush administration politicized government agencies' scientific reports and improperly pressured the head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding automotive emissions regulations and fuel-economy standards.

Waxman differs with Dingell on issues such as stricter tailpipe-emissions standards for automobiles and tighter controls on carbon emissions from fuels.

Dingell, who was in a wheelchair following knee surgery three weeks ago, hasn't taken questions about Waxman's surprise bid for the gavel.

"He Can Move Legislation"

But Dingell's backers have questioned Waxman's credentials for unseating the 27-term lawmaker.

"You need a reason, not just, 'I want to be committee chairman,' " Representative Bart Stupak, also a Michigan Democrat and chairman of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, said. "Mr. Dingell has done the job. He's legendary. He can move legislation. There's no reason to make a change."

Representative Mike Doyle, a seven-term Democrat from Pittsburgh, described a pointed telephone conversation that he had with Waxman earlier this week.

"I asked him rather pointedly what his basis for challenging Mr. Dingell was, and he was unable to give me a single reason why he thought Mr. Dingell shouldn't be the chairman of the committee other than the fact that he thought he'd be a better chairman," Doyle said.
 
Both Stupak and Doyle urged Waxman to withdraw his name from the race. And they dismissed suggestions they have heard from Waxman's supporters that Dingell has slow-walked global warming legislation and would be an obstacle for the issue next year with the incoming Obama administration and larger Democratic majorities on Capitol Hill.

Decision Later This Month

Members of the powerful House Steering and Policy Committee--which includes senior Democratic lawmakers, committee leaders, regional representatives and party leaders who have a larger number of votes than other members--will meet during the lame-duck session November 17-21 to make a recommendation between Waxman and Dingell.

If Dingell loses there, Stupak said that Dingell would seek a secret-ballot vote before the entire House Democratic Caucus that will be seated for the 111th Congress.

Advocates for both sides are saying they have the votes to win the chairmanship.

Jerry Dodson, a Waxman aide from 1978 to 1988, said that it is not like Waxman to make such a move if he does not have support from within the party caucus.

Waxman's supporters pointed to a letter about global warming "principles" that the California Democrat organized with Democratic Representatives Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Jay Inslee of Washington last month. The document, signed by 152 House Democrats, shows support for more aggressive cuts in U.S. greenhouse-gas emissions compared with a draft plan from Dingell and Democrat Rick Boucher of Virginia.

The two Dingell supporters declined to specify how many Democratic votes they have, though they did pledge to release a list of whip members by early next week.

Scott Doggett:  is an AutoObserver.com Associate Editor.