House Ways and Means Chairman Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) is backing Energy and Commerce Chairman John Dingell (D-Mich.) in his effort to keep his job in the face of a challenge from Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), Rangel spokesman Matthew Beck confirmed Friday.

The endorsement comes as Dingell has launched a broad offensive to save his gavel from a surprise challenge by Waxman. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) has kept quiet on the matter.