NBC Won't Label Retiring Waxman a 'Liberal,' But CBS Does

On Thursday evening's newscasts, both CBS and NBC announced the retirement of Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) but only CBS labeled him a liberal. ABC ignored the news.

"Democrat Henry Waxman in California, now in his 20th term, was elected with the post-Watergate class of 1974. He became one of the leading liberals in the House," reported CBS Evening News anchor Scott Pelley. In contrast, NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams simply identified Waxman a Democrat.

"And a surprise announcement out of Washington today, a big figure in Democratic politics is calling it quits. Henry Waxman has represented his L.A.-area district including Beverly hills for 20 terms in Congress, said today he won't be seeking re-election," announced Williams.

Williams continued that Waxman "has been a force on the environment, health care issues especially, and one of Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's closest allies in the House."

Below is a transcript of the two segments:

CBS
EVENING NEWS
1/30/14
[6:39 p.m. EST]

SCOTT PELLEY: Today, one of the longest serving members of Congress announced he is retiring. Democrat Henry Waxman in California, now in his 20th term, was elected with the post-Watergate class of 1974. He became one of the leading liberals in the House, grilling tobacco company executives about the dangers of smoking and helping to guide ObamaCare into law.

NBC
NIGHTLY NEWS
1/30/14
[7:13 p.m. EST]

BRIAN WILLIAMS: And a surprise announcement out of Washington today, a big figure in Democratic politics is calling it quits. Henry Waxman has represented his L.A.-area district including Beverly hills for 20 terms in Congress, said today he won't be seeking re-election. Waxman has been a force on the environment, health care issues especially, and one of Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's closest allies in the House. His retirement, along with those of George Miller of California, Tom Harkin of Iowa on the Senate side, will leave only Vermont senator Pat Leahy as the last of the so-called "Watergate babies" who have served continuously since being thrust into office in 1974.