Thursday, November 20, 2008

I feel obligated to clear up a few things regarding Harold Meyerson's Nov. 19 op-ed, "A Job for Henry Waxman." This piece was riddled with falsehoods -- chiefly the assertion that Rep. John D. Dingell (D-Mich.) has not been an effective legislator during his time as chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

John Dingell has authored nearly every major environmental law in existence. And he has stated repeatedly that he intends to pass a climate change bill next year. Already, he has released draft legislation addressing both climate change and food and drug safety. His proposals reflect what voters have demanded: more jobs, better health care and a green future.

Mr. Dingell is committed to achieving these goals while promoting economic recovery and protecting our Democratic majority -- which is essential for seeing quick results. As a representative from a state that "turned blue" in a presidential election for the first time in four decades, I see the danger of ignoring the diversity of views within our party. With Mr. Dingell's leadership, we can keep the hard-won support of swing-state voters, achieve the consensus necessary to implement sound policy solutions and signal to Americans that we heard their call for change.

Furthermore, Mr. Dingell is not an "opponent of stricter standards for auto emissions and fuel efficiency." He crafted a compromise in last year's energy independence bill to increase fuel efficiency standards by 40 percent while protecting American jobs. And it was Mr. Dingell who ultimately steered the passage of every legislative achievement to which Mr. Meyerson referred in his opinion piece.

Mr. Meyerson was correct, however, that Barack Obama "needs an ally on the Hill who can craft bills and obtain votes for the change he's pledged to deliver. He needs a master legislator." He has this in Chairman Dingell.

BARON HILL

U.S. Representative (D-Ind.)

Washington