Waxman Defeats Dingell to take Influential House Post

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House Democrats voted Thursday to put Rep. Henry Waxman in charge of the influential House Energy and Commerce Committee, in a stinging rebuke to the House's longest-serving member that could have wide implications for the Obama administration's environmental agenda.

Waxman, D-Calif., defeated Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., in a 137-122 secret-ballot vote. Dingell has long been one of the auto industry's biggest champions, and Waxman's case to his colleagues was based in large part on his promise to push an agenda that aligns more closely with that of President-elect Barack Obama.

House leaders created a new post for Dingell -- chairman emeritus. Dingell was first elected to Congress in 1955, and in February is set to become the longest-serving member in the history of the House of Representatives.

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http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/11/waxman-defeats.html