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Chairman Smith Statement on 235 Years of the House Committee on Ways and Means

July 24, 2024

WASHINGTON – On the 235th anniversary of the founding of the Ways and Means Committee on July 24, 1789, Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) issued the following statement:

“After fighting for American independence from European tyranny, the Framers understood that taxation and accountability must go hand in hand. By giving the House of Representatives, elected every two years, the power to levy taxes in the Constitution, they ensured that taxpayers could hold those who tax them accountable. 

“Now, 235 years after the Ways and Means Committee was formed, we continue the fight to ensure our government is one of the people, by the people, and for the people. That also means citizens have a say in how they are taxed, they have the privacy of their personal financial information, and they have accountability from those who collect their taxes. Americans’ lives and livelihoods, their health, the welfare of their children, their retirement, and even their access to markets around the world, are deeply impacted by the work we do here. We serve the taxpayer – not the other way around.

“I am grateful for all those who have served and continue to serve with me on this Committee as we fight to put workers and families first, particularly with 2025 on the horizon, and the opportunity to achieve major tax policy successes.”