CQ has a pretty good profile of Henry Waxman, as the new chairman of Energy and Commerce.

Rep. Henry A. Waxman , D-Calif., is one of Washington’s shrewdest operators. Friends and enemies describe him — with varying degrees of admiration — as dogged and tenacious, and he has extensive knowledge of a broad policy portfolio and the ability to be both partisan and patient.

In the 111th Congress (2009-10), he will get a chance to draw on those skills as the new chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, where he will be a major player on several of President-elect Obama’s chief priorities: energy, global warming and health care. Waxman also will have purview over telecommunications policy and is likely to push for institutional change at the Federal Communications Commission. Read the rest at CQ

I think it is going to be quite interesting to see where Waxman goes with his new powers and responsibilities. I am encouraged by his eagerness for the tasks at hand. I do think he is a powerful liberal voice.