Transition Watch: Dingell, Waxman showdown nears

The battle between Reps. John Dingell (D-Mich.) and Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) intensifies this week as the Democratic Party gets set to elect its new leaders for the next Congress.

Waxman is pushing to unseat Dingell as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and Dingell's Michigan supporters are pressuring Speaker Nancy Pelosi fend off Waxman's efforts, according to Washington Post columnist Al Kamen.

Waxman is the chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

The House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee meets Wednesday to vote on a slate of committee chairmen and members to present to the party's full caucus on Thursday.