Energy & Commerce chair
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
Rep. Joe Barton (R-Tex.) could be named to fill chairman seat at the House Energy & Commerce Committee as early as week of Feb. 9, staffers say. Barton is lead candidate to replace Billy Tauzin (R-La.), who steps down as chair effective Feb. 16. Tauzin is rumored to be the top choice to head the Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America. Under Tauzin, committee held hearings on dietary supplement safety, with a focus on ephedra, in 2003. As chair of the Commerce/Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee in mid to late 1990s, Barton examined a number of health-related issues...