Ways & Means History
The Committee on Ways and Means, the oldest tax-writing body in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1789, shapes fiscal legislation including taxes, tariffs, and social service programs. Its notable influence is underscored by numerous members who have risen to prominent national offices, including Presidents and Supreme Court Justices.
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Chairman Smith: Democrats Cannot Change the Biden-Harris Record of High Prices
“One thing Democrats cannot change is the Biden-Harris record: 20 percent rise in prices and interest rates keeping families from…
July 25, 2024OP-ED: Congress must act to prevent “Tax Armageddon”
WASHINGTON – In a Washington Examiner op-ed, Ways and Means Committee Vice Chairman Rep. Vern Buchanan (FL-16), who is leading the American Manufacturing Tax…
July 25, 2024Four Key Moments: Hearing on Tax-Exempt Funding of Antisemitism
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Antisemitic protests across the country are being fueled in part by tax-exempt organizations that in some cases have…
July 24, 2024Chairman Smith Statement on 235 Years of the House Committee on Ways and Means
WASHINGTON – On the 235th anniversary of the founding of the Ways and Means Committee on July 24, 1789, Chairman…
July 24, 2024Ways and Means Advances Bipartisan Legislation to Support Children and Families
Legislation reauthorizes and reforms child welfare program and strengthens child support enforcement. WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Ways and Means Committee…
July 24, 2024Chairman Smith Opening Statement – Markup of Child Welfare Legislation
Legislation reauthorizes and reforms child welfare programs and strengthens child support enforcement. As prepared for delivery. “Let me begin by…
Ways and Means Committee Follow 23,302 57,014
🚨 ICYMI: My bill, the Promoting Accountability, Reporting, Information Sharing, and Health Act, has just advanced out of the Ways and Means Committee.
This bipartisan legislation is crucial to improving oversight and protecting youth in residential treatment facilities. Thank
For every child adopted in the past year, two remain in foster care. I'm proud to see my provisions included in the Protecting America's Children by Strengthening Families Act, to require a report from @HHS on the effectiveness of post-adoption services and to identify gaps in
I hosted @RepKevinBrady to speak to the Supply Chains Tax team about the value of working with President Trump to lower taxes when he returns to office.
When the rate is lowered, businesses can invest more in their communities, lower costs for consumers, & increase jobs.
Excessive Washington red tape forces state child welfare programs to spend more time on paperwork instead of helping children.
In fact, these rules do NOTHING to increase accountability or outcomes for how these programs perform, as one witness testified today. ...
Relatives are an important source of care for kids who can’t live with their parents.
Too often, these caregivers are overlooked and don’t get the support they need.
One kinship provider shared that she faced an “uphill battle” getting help for her sister. ...
@replahood asked Tori Petersen about the importance of work in helping lift people out of poverty.
A former foster youth and current foster parent, Tori explained how every parent must recognize the point “when helping hurts” and too many government resources can delay growth and keep people trapped in poverty and crisis ...
Chairman Smith asked @parishilton, based on her lived experience as a survivor of abuse in a residential youth facility, what should be done to help children in crisis.
Here’s what she said. ...
For the last year, the Ways & Means Committee has conducted a top-to-bottom review of child welfare.
Here’s just some of what we’ve found:
❌Relatives taking care of kids need more support
❌A severe caseworker shortage
❌D.C. red tape
❌Unfair barriers faced by Native American tribes
❌Slow court system ...
During our hearing, @repbethvanduyne asked Talia Dror to describe her experience at Cornell and her reaction to the failure of university leaders to appropriately respond to and condemn those spreading antisemitism and threats of violence. ...