HOUSE Republican Leader John Boehner

Washington, Nov 20 - House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today issued the following statement on the House Democratic Caucus’ decision to replace Energy & Commerce Chairman John Dingell (D-MI) with Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) in the 111th Congress:

“This decision sends a troubling signal from a Majority that has promised to govern from the center.  They moved away from Chairman Dingell because he is committed to approaching energy and environmental issues in a manner that protects American jobs.  It is a disturbing sign that the leaders of the next Congress will be making decisions based not on what is best for the country, but for well-funded special interests whose priorities are far different from those of the vast majority of Americans.  Ironically, the decision was made in a secret ballot election – a process that Democrats want to end in workplaces across America to help one of those special interests. 

“I have had the privilege of working closely with John Dingell for years, and there are few Members of the House as skilled and principled as my friend from Michigan.  Our work together in crafting historic pension reforms and financial services modernization legislation produced some of the most important public policy I’ve dealt with during my years in Washington.  I have no doubt that John will remain a remarkably dedicated Member of the House as we head into the next Congress, though I am disappointed that his Democratic caucus increasingly seems to be pulled leftward by radical special interests.”

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