20 November 2008 -- Rep. Henry Waxman, (D-Calif.) will take over the chairmanship of the House Energy and Commerce Committee when the 111th Congress convenes in January.

In an election among House Democrats, the Californian toppled Michigan Rep. John Dingell from the post. Dingell is the longest-serving member of the House. Waxman won the panel chair by a 137-122 vote.