FQA’s Dingell Loses House Commerce Chairmanship

John Wolz

A key congressional player in the U.S. Fastener Quality Act, Rep. John Dingell of Michigan, lost his chairmanship of the House Energy & Commerce Committee.

House Democrats voted 137-122 to make Rep. Henry Waxman the new chair.

Dingell started the initial 1980s congressional investigation leading to the FQA and blocked amendments during the 1990s as committee chair or ranking member of the committee.

The FQA was originally passed by Congress and signed into law by then Pres. George H.W. Bush in 1990. It was amended in 1995 and1998 and implemented on December 6, 1999, after Pres. Bill Clinton signed the third law amending the FQA – P.L 106-34.

In February Dingell, 82, will become the longest serving member in the history of the U.S. House.
The Democratic caucus gave Dingell the title “chairman emeritus.” Dingell’s wife, Debbie Dingell, is a Democratic national committeewoman and a General Motors Corp. executive.

Dingell, who succeeded his father in the House in 1955, was known as a staunch defender of the auto industry, resisting efforts pushed by Waxman for tougher environmental rules, especially increasing fuel economy standards.

Under Waxman the committee is expected to be more aggressive on global warming and other environmental issues. Waxman, 69, is known for aggressive investigations.

The Energy & Commerce panel is one of the most powerful House committees, with jurisdiction over energy, the environment, consumer protection, telecommunications and health care.
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