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 Applauds Trump Administration’s Action to Hold Miami-Based Organ Procurement Organization Accountable Following Ways and Means’ Investigative Actions
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) issued the following statement after Health and Human Services…
September 18, 2025Ways and Means Advances Bipartisan Health, Social Security, and Tax Administration Legislation To Improve Everyday Lives
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Ways and Means Committee has advanced legislation to solve key challenges facing seniors, patients, and taxpayers –…
September 17, 2025Smith Statement on Interest Rate Cuts & Fed’s Failure to Act Sooner
“Finally.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) issued the following statement after the Federal Open Market…
September 17, 2025Chairman Smith: Legislation Protects Patients, Seniors, and all Taxpayers
Today, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) delivered the following opening statement at a Committee markup of health…
September 16, 2025Five Key Moments: Hearing on Barriers to Work for People with Disabilities
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Current Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (DI) policies often discourage work for individuals receiving…
September 16, 2025Chairman Smith Applauds Trump Administration’s Quick Action to Advance Rural Health Transformation Program
Washington, D.C. – Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) issued the following statement after the Trump Administration’s Centers…
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I applaud @SecKennedy and @HHSGov’s actions to decertify the Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency in Miami, Florida.
The Ways and Means Committee has been investigating organ procurement organizations like Life Alliance given serious allegations of Medicare fraud and multiple…
I’m proud to share that my bill, H.R. 5345, the Improving Social Security’s Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act passed out of @WaysandMeansGOP Committee today.
This bill creates a single point of contact at the @SocialSecurity Administration, making it easier for victims to…
There is no reason that Medicare patients should have to wait to access breakthrough medical devices already cleared by the FDA. This bipartisan legislation ensures patients receive the most advanced treatments on the market as soon as possible. I am proud that my colleagues and…
ICYMI: The Ways and Means Committee traveled to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California where we heard from farmers, small business owners, and manufacturers about how the pro-growth tax cuts in The One, Big, Beautiful Bill will unleash American economic greatness and deliver prosperity to the working class. ...
Today, the Committee passed several bills aimed at improving the lives of Americans by protecting patients, families, seniors, and taxpayers. ...
80% of tax-exempt hospitals are spending less on charity care and other critical health care priorities than they receive from their generous tax breaks. Rather than investing this money into patient care, they are using those benefits on non-health care activities like virtue signaling, renaming stadiums, or green energy initiatives.
Tax-exempt status was created for organizations that give back to their communities, not spread a woke agenda. ...
Tax-exempt hospitals receive special tax benefits because they have a mission to provide vital care to patients.
More transparency from these hospitals is needed so that taxpayers know what services they are actually providing and why they deserve to receive special tax treatment. ...
The data is clear. Many tax-exempt hospitals, that receive generous tax benefits, take more from the taxpayers than they invest back into the health care mission in their communities, and it isn’t close.
Many tax-exempt hospitals have strayed from their health care mission in favor of non-health care activities, including virtue signaling to woke causes. ...
When the system of benefits serving those with disabilities is overly complex, it can be a disservice to both someone looking for a new job or someone looking to hire or promote an employee.
Providing employers with knowledge and the ability to better navigate the system would benefit both them and those Americans with disabilities who are interested in pursing a new job, new career, or promotion. ...