House Committee on Ways and Means

Overview

The House Committee on Ways and Means is the chief tax-writing committee of the United States House of Representatives. 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, and Medicare.

History

The Committee on Ways and Means is the oldest committee of the United States Congress, and was first created during the first Congress in 1789. The committee initially dealt with tariffs and trade legislation, which was the government's primary source of revenue at the time.

Jurisdiction

The Committee on Ways and Means has the broadest jurisdiction of any congressional committee. The committee's jurisdiction includes the following areas:

Taxation, tariffs, and other revenue-raising measures
Management of public debt
The United States' customs revenue
Social Security and other social services
Unemployment benefits
Medicare
Enforcement of child support laws
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, a federal assistance program
Foster care and adoption programs

Structure

The Committee on Ways and Means is chaired by the member of the majority party with the highest seniority. The committee is divided into several subcommittees, each of which handles a different aspect of the committee's jurisdiction. The current subcommittees are:

Subcommittee on Health
Subcommittee on Human Resources
Subcommittee on Social Security
Subcommittee on Tax Policy
Subcommittee on Trade
Subcommittee on Oversight

Role in Legislation

The Committee on Ways and Means plays a critical role in the development and passage of major legislation in the United States. The committee is often the first to review and markup bills related to taxation and other revenue-raising measures. The committee also plays a significant role in the budget process, as it is responsible for drafting legislation related to the federal budget.

Notable Legislation

The Committee on Ways and Means has been involved in the creation and passage of many significant pieces of legislation throughout its history. Some of the most notable include the Revenue Act of 1913, which implemented the federal income tax, the Social Security Act of 1935, and the Medicare Act of 1965.