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

“I have been blessed to serve on the Energy and Commerce Committee with two great leaders, Chairman John Dingell and Oversight and Government Reform Chairman, Henry Waxman.

“Chairman Dingell has led efforts to expand health care to children, invest in alternative sources of energy, and develop common-sense reform of our nation’s consumer product and food safety system.  In the 111th Congress, he will lead the fight for national health care reform and has made a commitment to enacting far-reaching legislation to combat global climate change and moving to a new energy policy.

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

"In the 111th Congress, we need steady leadership at the helm of both these important committees, and that guidance can be given by both men.  Given the critical work ahead, now is not the time for a change in the chairmanship of the Energy and Commerce Committee.  Therefore, I support Mr. Dingell’s continued chairmanship of the Energy and Commerce Committee and look forward to working closely with both him and Chairman Waxman in the new Congress as we work to enact legislation that will move this country forward.”