Today Congressman Jason Smith (R-Salem) was named to the House Ways and Means Committee, earning the influential committee assignment faster than any other current Republican committee member.
“Serving on Ways and Means will provide me with an even greater voice for my constituents and rural America,” said Congressman Smith. “I’m eager to get people back to work by fixing the broken tax code and alleviating the burden on job creators.”
The Ways and Means Committee has continuously operated since 1795. Congressman Smith is the first Missouri representative appointed to Ways and Means since Representative Kenny Hulshof from Charleston, who served on the committee from 1997-2008. With his agriculture background, Congressman Smith will provide a unique perspective on this important committee.
“The Ways and Means Committee will be at the forefront of reform in the 114th Congress, and Jason Smith – who will be one of the youngest members of the Committee – will have an important role to play as the Committee takes on critical issues like reforming our tax code, making health care more affordable, and strengthening safety net programs like Medicare and Social Security,” said Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan.
“Jason is committed to tackling the problems facing our nation and he has a proven track record of working hard for residents of Missouri’s 8th District. I’m looking forward to having him serve on the Ways and Means Committee in the next session of Congress.”
Congressman Jason Smith was reelected in November with 67 percent of the vote, carrying all 30 counties, and at 34 years old, is currently the second youngest Republican member of Congress.
His priorities on the Ways and Means Committee include reforming the tax code, promoting free and fair trade, ensuring Social Security solvency, and working to fix our broken healthcare system.
Congressman Jason Smith was first elected to Congress in a special election and has been serving the constituents of Missouri’s 8th Congressional District for 17 months. He previously served on the Judiciary and Natural Resources committees.
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