January 10, 2009 01:39 AM UTC

Another Big Score For Polis; DeGette Keeps Key Post

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• by: Colorado Pols

The Denver Post reported this morning that Rep. Diana DeGette will keep her vice-chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee, which had been in some doubt:

U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette has been reappointed vice chair of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee, a position that will give her significant sway over two of the biggest issues facing the next Congress – climate change policy and health care reform.

DeGette’s fate as a senior member of the committee was uncertain under the new chairman, Rep. Henry Waxman. The Denver congresswoman was seen as a strong ally of outgoing chair John Dingell, a Michigan Democrat aligned with the auto industry, and she voted against Waxman in the leadership fight.

Should put that “Dingell-berry” talk to rest, looks like she’s there on the merits after all.

In other news, favorite freshman Rep. Jared Polis adds to his growing profile with his announced appointment today to the powerful Rules Committee, joining Rep. Ed Perlmutter to create a weighty presence for Colorado on this critically important 13-member body. Says Polis in a release, “[t]ogether, we can help shape all areas of legislation for the 111th Congress and voice Colorado’s progressive ideas across the nation.”