Nov 24, 2010 /EIN Presswire/ – In a mostly peaceful transition to Republican leadership in the House, the battle for chair of the Energy & Commerce Committee has become a point of contention.
Ranking Republican Joe Barton of Texas must obtain a waiver from leadership to become the majority chair because he has previously served as both chair and ranking member.
Rep. Fred Upton of Michigan is seeking to replace Barton on Energy & Commerce; however, his conservative values are under fire by members of the right-wing press, leaving possibility for other Republicans to enter the race.
Speaker-elect John Boehner is likely to have the final say in who becomes the chairman of this important committee in the House. The position is even more crucial in the event of a Republican “repeal and replace” of this year’s controversial health care bill passed by the Democrats.
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