FL-13 Congressman To Advance Pro-Growth Agenda

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (FL-13) was named today to the House Ways and Means Committee, considered the most influential committee in Congress because of its broad jurisdiction over tax policy, health care, Social Security and international trade.

Buchanan is expected to be the only Florida member on the committee in the 112th Congress.

The appointment was made by the Republican Steering Committee and is expected to be ratified in a pro-forma vote by the full House GOP conference before the start of the new session of Congress.

“I am honored to be named to the Ways and Means Committee,” said Buchanan. “Jobs and the economy are the most important issue facing our country. I will work on the Committee to advance a pro-growth, pro-jobs agenda that will help put people back to work. That includes keeping taxes low, reducing overly burdensome regulations and controlling spending to reduce the deficit.

“It also means the ratification of free trade agreements, including the free trade agreement with Panama, which will increase the impact of Port Manatee on our local economy,” added Buchanan.

The Ways and Means Committee is the chief tax-writing body in the House of Representatives. The U.S. Constitution gives it sole power in Congress to initiate tax bills, making it even more powerful than its counterpart in the Senate, the Senate Finance Committee.

Major issues that have gone through the committee include welfare reform, a Medicare prescription drug benefit, Social Security reform, the tax cuts of 2001 and 2003, and all major trade agreements.

Buchanan replaces Florida Congresswoman Ginny Brown Waite, who is retiring. The only Democrat on the panel is Rep. Kendrick Meek, who is leaving Congress at the end of this year after losing a Senate bid.

Buchanan is a self-made businessman and a respected leader in Florida’s business community. He chaired both the Florida Chamber of Commerce and the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member of the Board of the U.S. Chamber.

He represents the district with the oldest median age in the nation.