Transition Watch: Waxman takes Dingell's post

Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) won the support of the Democratic caucus and will take over the House Energy and Commerce Committee. He defeated longtime chairman Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) in a vote that may signal strong support for the agenda of President-elect Barack Obama, reports The Washington Post.

Speculation has now turned to Waxman's old position as chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Reps. Edolphus "Ed" Towns (D-N.Y.), Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) and Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) are considered the leading contenders, said
the newspaper.

The Republicans are likely to pick California Rep. Darrell Issa to replace Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) as the committee's ranking minority member. Davis is retiring.