Texas oil-field veteran's hat in ring [View All]

[stevedeshazer]

Lobbying brisk to get top energy panel post

WARSHINGTON -- Texas Republican Joe Barton has emerged as the front-runner to take over the gavel at the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee.

The 10-term congressman from Ennis is lobbying hard to replace Rep. Billy Tauzin, R-La., the "Cagey Cajun" who announced plans Tuesday evening to step down as chairman of a panel that handles issues as diverse as energy policy, telecommunications and Medicare.

Barton, a former oil-patch engineer who championed the White House's stalled energy bill, serves as chairman of the House Subcommittee on Energy & Air Quality. (How's that workin' out for ya?)

Barton was unavailable for comment Wednesday, but the 54-year-old Waco native issued a statement announcing he was seeking the chairmanship.

more: http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/business/2388525


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Another crappy oil crook from Texas. What a surprise. Keep your eyes on this guy.