Texas oil-field veteran's hat in ring

[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.

[POed_Ex_Repub]

1. This is just plain wrong

:puke:

[imax2268]

2. I'll say...

from one crook to another...

[saigon68]

4. Another Chicken Hawk Oil Grabber

There are so many of these people.

[jburton]

3. This will help Ralph Hall, too

Barton likely to head key House energy panel

11:20 PM CST on Wednesday, February 4, 2004

By JIM LANDERS / The Dallas Morning News

WASHINGTON – Republican Rep. Joe Barton of Ennis, whose blunt style and legislative guile have made him a lightning rod on energy and environmental issues, may soon be chairman of a congressional committee with enormous influence over American business.

Mr. Barton on Wednesday was the only candidate seeking the chairmanship of the House Energy and Commerce Committee in the wake of Louisiana Rep. Billy Tauzin's decision to step down.

"I certainly expect Joe to be the next chairman," said Rep. Richard Burr, R-N.C., the committee's vice chairman.

As Mr. Barton moves up, another Texan is expected to take his place as chairman of the committee's energy and air quality panel – Rep. Ralph Hall of Rockwall, who recently switched parties to become a Republican.


http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/020504dnbusbarton.31040.html