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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Chair Smith Opening Statement: Hearing with Health Insurance CEOs
As prepared for delivery I’d like to begin by thanking our witnesses for voluntarily agreeing to appear before our committee…
January 22, 2026Smith Statement on PCE Report: Republican Economic Policies are Defeating Inflation, the Fed Should Take Note
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) released the following statement after the release of the…
January 21, 2026House Votes to Protect Health Care Choices for Pregnant Women, Moms
WASHINGTON, D.C.– As thousands of Americans prepare to gather for the annual March for Life celebration, the U.S. House of…
January 21, 2026Work & Welfare Subcommittee Chairman LaHood: Child Support Enforcement Program Promotes Financial Well-being of Children & Families, Reinforces Parental Responsibility
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Work & Welfare Subcommittee Chairman Darin LaHood (IL-16) delivered the following remarks at a Ways and Means…
January 21, 2026Chairman Smith Floor Remarks: Republicans Give Pregnant Women and Moms a Choice in Where to Receive Maternal Care
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) delivered the following remarks during debate in the U.S….
January 20, 2026Ways & Means Republicans Sound Alarm as Minnesota Scandal Unfolds, Call on IRS to Crackdown on Non-Profit Sector
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08), joined by every Republican member of the Committee, is…
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Today, the Committee is holding a hearing focusing on health care affordability for all Americans by examining the role of large health care companies that own insurance plans, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), and medical practices — giving them significant control over prices
Health care works best when it’s close to home. As Chair of the @WaysandMeansGOP Health Subcommittee, I met with @FLCHC to discuss expanding access, supporting the health workforce and making care more affordable.
I joined @MarkieMartin on @NewsNation to discuss the letter @WaysandMeansGOP sent to the IRS urging stronger enforcement against fraudulent nonprofits that exploit U.S. taxpayers.
We need better mechanisms to detect and deter waste, fraud, and abuse.
waysandmeansgop
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. ...