'House Democrats will move forward from this vote with unity'

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), in a Nov. 20 statement after Democrats replaced John D. Dingell (D-Mich.) as chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee with Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) the day before:

"John Dingell is a giant of the Congress and his leadership over the last 28 years as chairman and ranking member of the Energy and Commerce Committee is unsurpassed. As chairman emeritus, [he] will continue in his tradition of strong and steady leadership on behalf of all Americans.

"Henry Waxman will bring to the post of chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee the outstanding leadership he has demonstrated as chair of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. He has been a long-time leader on health care, drug safety and affordability, and climate change.

"Under his leadership, the committee and the entire caucus will make progress toward making America energy independent, making health care available to all Americans, and addressing the greatest challenge of our time, global warming.

"House Democrats will move forward from this vote with unity to take America in a New Direction."

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