Chairman Dingell’s team fires back at Waxman

Energy and Commerce Chairman John Dingell (D-Mich.) and his supporters launched their counteroffensive against the coup attempt of Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) Thursday, disputing reports that Waxman has the votes to replace Dingell.

“We have more than enough to block the claim that he has a majority of new members,” said Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), one of the committee’s co-chairs. “We don’t have any reasons for this except Mr. Waxman wants to be chairman.”           

{mosads}Congress Daily on Thursday quoted sources saying that Waxman has the votes in the Democratic Caucus to oust Dingell. Stupak said the evening conference call was held to dispute that report.

But Stupak declined to release the name or number of supporters. He said supporters will release the name of Dingell’s whip team early next week.           

Joining Stupak on the call were Reps. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.) and John Barrow (D-Ga.). Stupak said Rep. Jim Matheson (D-Utah) had planned to join the call, which was delayed. He said eight members were on a call to discuss the situation Thursday morning.            

The Dingell supporters also declined to point a finger at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who many believe is behind the challenge. Waxman is a Pelosi ally, and Dingell has been her adversary within the caucus.

“I’ve not personally spoken with leadership. But the speaker’s aides say she’s non-committal,” Stupak said. “I’d be surprised if she’d get involved in this race.”           

Dingell appeared with Pelosi at a meeting with auto executives and union officials Thursday. He also released a letter to caucus members seeking support.

The letter mentioned didn’t directly mention Waxman’s challenge, but it laid out an ambitious agenda for the future of his panel. It responded to concerns that Dingell is more concerned about industry and automakers by highlighting the work the committee has already done on climate change, which Pelosi calls her “flagship issue.”

“An Obama presidency will allow us to quickly complete our work and protect the environment,” Dingell’s letter said.