WASHINGTON — Opening a split among congressional Democrats that could affect President-elect Barack Obama's efforts to curb global warming, a California environmentalist is trying to wrest control of a crucial House committee from its chairman, who is the automobile industry's strongest ally in fighting stricter antipollution standards.
Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-Beverly Hills) has announced that he wants to replace Rep. John D. Dingell (D-Mich.) as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which will take the lead on Obama's signature issues of energy, global warming and healthcare.
Over the years, Dingell has given invaluable support to the auto companies' fights against pollution and fuel economy standards that they considered unrealistic, and Waxman's challenge to his leadership is the culmination of a decades-long rivalry between the two powerful lawmakers, the panel's top two Democrats.
The outcome of the fight could affect whether action on Obama's energy agenda will be tilted toward the interests of Rust Belt industrial Democrats or more aggressive antipollution efforts that California has spearheaded.
It opens divisions among triumphant Democrats just as they come off a landmark election that put Obama in the White House and expanded the party's majorities in the House and Senate -- and it is a window into how power struggles among Democrats may intensify now that there is so much more power to wield.
Dingell allies say Waxman's unexpected move is divisive and will sow dissent just as the party should be rallying together.
"There is no basis for removing Chairman Dingell," Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.) said in a conference call with Dingell supporters. "The implication that Mr. Dingell wouldn't move environmental legislation as quickly as Mr. Waxman has no basis in reality."
In a letter Thursday to all House Democrats, Dingell said he was better prepared to move the Obama agenda and insisted that he was committed to addressing the climate change problem.
"An Obama presidency will allow us to quickly complete our work and protect the environment," he wrote.
The Obama transition team has not weighed in on the dispute, but the person managing congressional relations for the team is Phil Schiliro, a former longtime Waxman aide. Global warming is a thorny issue for Obama because there are high expectations for him to address the problem. At the same time, Obama carried Michigan and must be concerned about the survival of the U.S. auto industry.
