Detroit Powerhouse

Ask Washington pols about Representative John Dingell, Democrat from Michigan, and you’ll get an earful. An imperious SOB. Power hungry. A blue-collar rep. Tough, but fair. A man of his word.

Since 1955, Dingell has pugnaciously represented Michigan’s 16th District, a blue-collar salient in suburban Detroit. Wholly absorbed by the concerns of his auto-and steelworker constituents over the last 31 years, Dingell has moved from a 29-year-old novice taking over his deceased father’s seat to chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee—arguably the most influential committee in the House, making Dingell one of the three most powerful members of that body. His driving personality and his political skill have made enemies of men like Dan Rostenkowski (D., Ill.), chairman of Ways and Means, Henry Waxman (D., Calif.), chairman of Dingell’s Health and Environment subcommittee, and Don Bonker (D., Wash.), chairman of the Foreign Affairs subcommittee on International Economic Policy and Trade.

JM

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John McLaughlin

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Congress

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Ask Washington pols about Representative John Dingell, Democrat from Michigan, and you’ll get an earful. An imperious SOB. Power hungry. A blue-collar rep. Tough, but fair. A man of his word.

Since 1955, Dingell has pugnaciously represented Michigan’s 16th District, a blue-collar salient in suburban Detroit. Wholly absorbed by the concerns of his auto-and steelworker constituents over the last 31 years, Dingell has moved from a 29-year-old novice taking over his deceased father’s seat to chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee—arguably the most influential committee in the House, making Dingell one of the three most powerful members of that body. His driving personality and his political skill have made enemies of men like Dan Rostenkowski (D., Ill.), chairman of Ways and Means, Henry Waxman (D., Calif.), chairman of Dingell’s Health and Environment subcommittee, and Don Bonker (D., Wash.), chairman of the Foreign Affairs subcommittee on International Economic Policy and Trade.