California Democratic Congressman Henry Waxman last week announced plans to retire at end of the current term, bringing to an end 40 years of service to the House of Representatives. Waxman’s departure will leave a hole on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where he serves as the top-ranking Democrat.
Rep. Waxman has played a major a role in crafting many drinking water-related proposals over the years, from the 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments to comprehensive climate change bills to legislation encouraging the replacement of certain treatment chemicals with so-called “inherently safer technologies.”
House Democrats will choose a new Energy and Commerce ranking member to succeed Waxman at the start of the 114th Congress next year. Seniority puts former committee chairman John Dingell of Michigan next in line for the position, though he will be 88 at the start of next year. If Democrats opt for a younger member, New Jersey Rep. Frank Pallone has the next most seniority on the panel.