The Detroit News - Rep. Dingell Named Senior Whip to House Democrats

News Article

By Nann Burke

Democratic leaders in the U.S. House have appointed Rep. Debbie Dingell to a team responsible for counting votes and persuading members to side with positions of the party caucus.

She joins a whip team that includes Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Southfield, and Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint Township, regional whip for the Midwest.

House Minority Whip StenyHoyer, D-Maryland, said Dingell was chosen in part for her record as a "proven consensus builder."

"I know she will be a valuable asset to the Whip team," Hoyer said in a statement.

The team of senior whips meet weekly for strategy sessions on issues and votes.

"It is an honor to be asked by Democratic Whip Hoyer to join the Whip team and to work with my colleagues on strategies that move our country forward," said Dingell, D-Dearborn, in a statement.

She began her first term in the House in January, taking over the 12th Congressional District from husband John Dingell, who retired after 59 years in office.

Debbie Dingell also has a leadership position within the Democrats' campaign arm, co-chairing an effort called Women LEAD with Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Florida, to retain and recruit more women to serve in Congress in 2016.

"Women stand up for our families and communities and bring a common sense voice to the policy-making dialogue, which is sorely missing in Washington," Dingell said.

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