The Hill - Chair Fight Sparks Fear On Seniority

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The Hill - Chair Fight Sparks Fear On Seniority

Long-serving House Democrats, particularly black lawmakers, fear that the gavel fight between Reps. John Dingell and Henry Waxman will "open a can of worms" and wreck the seniority system that keeps power in their hands.

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Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), a member of the CBC, added, "The seniority system has been successful. I don't think we should do anything to undermine it."

Meeks said he is supporting Dingell because a Waxman victory would weaken the power of seniority.

"You have a member who has served as chair and has seniority and would be unseated who is next in line and that could set off a chain of events where people begin to run against and not respect the seniority system."

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