United States House Committee On Ways And Means
The Committee of Ways and Means is the chief tax-writing committee of the United States House of Representatives. Members of the Ways and Means Committee are not allowed to serve on any other House Committees unless they apply for a waiver from their party's congressional leadership. The Committee has jurisdiction over all taxation, tariffs and other revenue-raising measures, as well as a number of other programs including:
- Social Security
- Unemployment benefits
- Medicare
- Enforcement of child support laws
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, a federal welfare program
- Foster care and adoption programs
The U.S. Constitution requires that all bills regarding taxation must originate in the House of Representatives. Since House procedure is that all bills regarding taxation must go through this committee, the committee is very influential, as is its Senate counterpart, the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance.
The Ways and Means Committee in the 111th Congress was chaired by Charlie Rangel, who had taken a leave of absence as chairman until House ethics violations were resolved. However, his leave of absence as chairman was ruled to be a resignation. Pete Stark resigned as acting chairman, so Sander Levin held that position until the start of the 112th Congress. Dave Camp became the committee chair for the 112th Congress, after the Republicans won control of the House in the 2010 election.
Read more about United States House Committee On Ways And Means: History, Political Significance, Members, 112th Congress, Subcommittees, Chairmen
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