DeGette Statement On Energy And Commerce Chairmanship

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO), Vice Chair of theCommittee on Energy and Commerce, today released the followingstatement regarding the chairmanship of the Energy and CommerceCommittee:

"I have been blessed to serve on the Energy and Commerce Committee withtwo great leaders, Chairman John Dingell and Oversight and GovernmentReform Chairman, Henry Waxman.

"Chairman Dingell has led efforts to expand health care to children,invest in alternative sources of energy, and develop common-sensereform of our nation's consumer product and food safety system. In the111th Congress, he will lead the fight for national health care reformand has made a commitment to enacting far-reaching legislation tocombat global climate change and moving to a new energy policy.

"Chairman Waxman has been an exceptional leader of the Oversight andGovernment Reform Committee, helping to expose the failures and abusesof the Bush Administration. In the 111th Congress, I also expect tosee him unravel the wrongdoings of the financial industry, which led tothe necessity of the recent rescue package. On Energy and Commerce,Chairman Waxman has also been visionary in his leadership on healthcare, consumer and environmental legislation.

"In the 111th Congress, we need steady leadership at the helm of boththese important committees, and that guidance can be given by bothmen. Given the critical work ahead, now is not the time for a changein the chairmanship of the Energy and Commerce Committee. Therefore, Isupport Mr. Dingell's continued chairmanship of the Energy and CommerceCommittee and look forward to working closely with both him andChairman Waxman in the new Congress as we work to enact legislationthat will move this country forward."