Asked how he feels about being called, “the meanest s.o.b. in Congress,” the 80-year-old quietly answers, “It’s very useful.” The Democrat from Detroit has defended carbon-spewing gas hogs for most of his career. But no one doubts how effective he is at moving legislation into law. And aside from his protective instincts for the car industry, his environmental record is surprisingly green. Now that he has been restored to chairman of the House Committee on
Energy and Commerce, everyone fears him—not the least, automakers who want to thwart caps on energy emissions. Dingell supports mandatory caps. And few people doubt he will make them happen.
Source: Time
