ROBERT SIEGEL, host: One other note from Capitol Hill. Today the Detroit Auto Industry lost a prominent ally, or at least that ally lost his prominent position. Congressman John Dingell of Michigan was defeated in a vote to decide who chairs a committee that will deal with many of the Obama administration's priorities. Democratic House members gave the seat to Henry Waxman of California by just 15 votes.</s>ROBERT SIEGEL, host: Dingell became chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee in 1981, and he has long stood up for the interests of the auto companies and autoworkers. Waxman has complained that the committee was slow to deal with issues such as global warming, and today one environmentalist called Waxman's victory a breath of fresh air.
In a power shift in the House, Rep. Henry Waxman of California has defeated Rep. John Dingell of Michigan for the chairmanship of the Committee on Energy and Commerce.