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▶ 0:16:14meeting will come to order good morning and welcome everyone to the organizational meeting for the 119th Congress this Congress in particular comes at a very critical time for this committee and the American taxpayer in just 6 days president Trump will take the oath of office and Spark a new era of American Prosperity the Ways and Means Committee will be Central to delivering relief to Americans after four years of skyh high prices
▶ 0:16:45High interest rates and high uncertainty this committee has a responsibility to make sure taxes do not go up on over 200 million filers in this country let's be clear if Congress does not act tax rates go up on every single American Family regardless of income level the child tax credit would be cut in half the standard deduction cut in
▶ 0:17:15half the Alternative Minimum Tax comes back to impact millions of families the death tax snaps back in and small businesses small businesses will pay a 43% tax rate we have no time to waste this committee will also have a long list of priorities throughout our jurisdiction to to deliver on for the American people we will fight the unfair treatment by Foreign governments of American farmers workers and businesses
▶ 0:17:46and open the door for more made in America Products to be sold around the world we will grow and make more of the things we need here in the United States reducing our dependency on China and other adversaries we will expand patient access to the best health care especially for Rural communities We Will Champion the most vulnerable in our society including our children and seniors our work for the future is built on this committee's
▶ 0:18:17success in the previous Congress we passed bipartisan tax legislation 40 to3 in this committee and then passed the bill with 82% support on the house floor it's been about a decade since that last happened first in a generation bipartisan child welfare reform Advanced by this committee became law it gave children in tough circumstances a greater chance of living in a safe stable
▶ 0:18:47home and helping parents and other caregivers give the resources they need to care for their kids we Advanced Pro patient pro-innovation Health Care policies to enhance access to Quality Care in every part of the country we reasserted congress's authority over trade including greenlighting a trade agreement with Taiwan tomorrow the house will take the next step and approve legislation that gives American workers
▶ 0:19:17and businesses fair tax treatment with Taiwan in our effort to boost American manufacturing jobs and the production of critical Technologies like semiconductors while reducing our dependency on China that was just the start our oversight agenda fought abuses of the tax code were ever present after the October 7th attack by Hamas Terrorist on the people of Israel this committee conducted an investigation for months and developed
▶ 0:19:47legislation that ensures the tax code does not subsidize anti-Semitism at home and terrorism abroad as laid out in the oversight plan we will mark up later we will continue aggressive investigations on behalf of all taxpayers to protect their hard-earned dollars from waste Fraud and Abuse in all our work we listen to the workers the families the farmers and small businesses of America we held 14
▶ 0:20:17hearings all around the country to hear from folks in their communities Republican tax teams picked up the Baton and crisscross the country too holding over 120 listening sessions in 20 states to hear directly from Americans about how we can build on the Trump tax cuts in this Congress we will continue to put the concerns of America's working class first the people who wake up go to work and come home to take
▶ 0:20:48care of their families and neighbors every day in communities across the country these people will continue to be our top priority at the ways and means committee the Ways and Means Committee truly is the best most important Committee in Congress there is not a single American who's not affected by the work that we do at this dis our responsibilities are spelled out in the Constitution and the history
▶ 0:21:18of this committee since its start in 1789 it tracks tracks the history of America the framers gave the house of repres resentatives the power to originate revenue bills in order to ensure greater power for the people over how they are taxed it is the responsibility of this committee to protect that constitutional right for the house on behalf of the American people and it is only as chairman
▶ 0:21:48I do not take lightly today members of this committee both Republicans and Democrats represent the best that Congress has to offer these colleagues are tireless in finding ways to improve the lives of those that they represent and all Americans to my colleagues on the other side of the aisle Republicans will work with you to achieve bipartisan wins when possible we have a big responsibility to tackle the equally big
▶ 0:22:18challenges facing our fellow Americans we must make the most of this opportunity and enact a pro-worker progrowth agenda that will deliver on the policies president Trump has championed and the American people have demanded I look forward to rolling up our sleeves and getting to work before I recognize the ranking member I want to introduce the new members of this committee this committee has a storied history of members who later went on to serve
▶ 0:22:49at some of the highest positions of American leadership no less than James Madison America's fourth president and father of the Constitution served on the first Ways and Means Committee eight ways and means members have gone on to become president of the United States eight have become vice president 21 have served as Speaker of the House and four became Supreme Court Justices I know these new members will help carry
▶ 0:23:19this proud tradition Rudy yakum continues the legacy of representation from Indiana's second congressional district on the ways and means his predecessor Jackie wski was a beloved and deeply valued member of this committee whose service made a difference for families children and workers Rudy's background in the private sector and Northern Indiana status as a Manu manufacturing Powerhouse will help this committee ensure America's
▶ 0:23:50workers and man manufacturers grow and win again Max Miller has devoted his life to serving his country first for six years in the Marine Corps Reserves and then in the first Trump White House his district encompasses both Fortune 500 employers and Ohio's Ohio's rural Farmland giving him a unique perspective into different parts of our economy at the start of the second Trump Administration
▶ 0:24:20Max will help us build on the success of the Trump tax cuts and make them permanent Aaron Bean has built full four small businesses in a is a former Florida state representative state senator and now Northeast Florida's representative in Congress his background will be invaluable as we help small businesses expand create new jobs and invest in their communities another title he wears is that of Auctioneer
▶ 0:24:51having worked as a professional Auctioneer for over 10 years I look forward to seeing that skill set on full display when another former Auctioneer our next IRS commissioner Billy long comes to testify before this committee Nathaniel Moran brings the values of faith family and hard work to Congress he learned growing up in rule East Texas he served his neighbors as a local attorney and then on the
▶ 0:25:21Tyler city council Nathaniel's background in service to Texas will be an asset in ensuring we protect rur America and Main Streets across the country when we restore and build on the Trump tax cuts on the Democrat side of the aisle we have several familiar faces that are returning back to us Brendan Bole serves as the ranking member of the budget committee a job which I'm familiar with with his return and Dwight Evans continued service on
▶ 0:25:51the ways and means the City of Brotherly Love Is Well represented on this committee Stacy plaset she is a very strong leading voice for the citizens of American territories especially the people of her home of the US Virgin Islands and we are pleased to have you back on the committee um and last but certainly not least it's good to have Tom swazi back on the dis
▶ 0:26:22even when he wasn't assigned to the ways and means he would still frequent our hearing and activity we are glad that you no longer have to watch from the audience please join me in giving a warm welcome for the new members of the Ways and Committee I'm pleased to recognize the ranking member from Massachusetts Mr nil for his opening statement thank you very much uh Mr
▶ 0:26:52chairman as I begin one of the responsibilities of this committee is to raise the debt ceiling we will acknowledge this morning the wildfires in California have been devastating and I know I speak for all of us when I say that congresswoman Chu and chanchez and Congressman Gomez we are all sorry for your losses in your particular districts but I must say Mr chairman I saw speaker Johnson's comments on conditioning Aid on the debt ceiling that violates the national
▶ 0:27:23principle I was here on this committee when awful fires Alabama I never asked once how did Alabama vote I voted for the money without any qualifications we can have the argument afterwards those people need help right now I hope that this committee as you noted in your comments Rising above the battles of partisanship will come to the aid of those people in California who are we witnessing night
▶ 0:27:53after night morning after morning the devastation that they have to live with and I hope we will not be conditioning Aid to the state of California based on raising the national debt so as the start of this Congress this should be a time of renewal and reflection particularly on what we've been entrusted to do as the chairman noted on this dis it's the breath of this responsibility that guides us to bold clear priorities a mission that is to level
▶ 0:28:23the playing field for all members of the American Family through our our history the committee on Ways and Means has always risen to the moment as we have noted frequently we have led some of the most significant legislation on record and let me point out as Joe Biden departs he has been no exception we acted decisively and deliberately for the American family we ushered in a new economy with the American Rescue package we reinvigorated our manufacturing and Construction Industries with the bipartison infrastructure law
▶ 0:28:53and the chips and science act we lowered cost the inflation reduction Act and prescription drugs we championed workers rights and expanded Health Care access to record numbers we protected pensions and paved the way for a fairer sustainable future Joe Biden notched himself a new record last week the only president in American history to create jobs every single month of his term this is one of the best job creation stories in our history we did not see that same level of action and
▶ 0:29:23bipartisanship with the Republican majority we saw many bills come through the committee some that had Merit for sure and with proper consultation and input could have perhaps become bipartisan achievements for all of us but we saw many of those pieces of legislation fail as they made it to the house floor we should not have an extreme agenda we should measure item after item and we should refrain from the chaos conspiracies and the cuts that we are sure to be discussing soon
▶ 0:29:54our Republican colleagues have the keys at the moment but our economy's resilience and strength will also be part of their responsibility your decisions and your promises will be recalled and remembered and we all know elections are always just around the corner with twoyear terms I want to welcome back our new members as well I want to welcome back Brendan Bole Stacy plasket and Tom swazi and certainly to Aaron Bean Max Miller Nathaniel Moran and Rudy yam of Indiana
▶ 0:30:25this is a very important assignment that you will have have for the next few years we all come to this committee to do big things we want to thank all of you for your service and with that let me y back my time thank you we now turn to the first item on today's agenda adoption of the Ways and Means Committee rules for the9th congress each member received a copy of the proposed new rules along with a green sheet noting the changes from the 118th Congress in advance of the meeting this rules package is in line
▶ 0:30:55with past precedent regarding the operation and legislative processes of the Ways and Means Committee and will allow us to quickly and judiciously deliver on the issues in our jurisdiction on behalf of the American people the update to rule 15 allows the chair to consider member attendance at the start of a hearing in conjunction with senority for purposes of recognition of members to question Witnesses the change aligns the rules to committee practice and in keeping with committee
▶ 0:31:26precedent the chair will continue to to consult with the ranking member on question order for the other side of the dis last year this committee traveled the nation listen to American workers small businesses and Farmers to hear the problems that they face with the areas in our jurisdiction including the US tax code International Trade programs as well as the Social Security and American Health Care Systems thanks to their testimony we now have a blueprint to improve the lives
▶ 0:31:56of all Americans it's it's time for the rubber to meet the road this Congress this rules package ensures efficiency in our committee processes allowing us to build upon the solid foundation established last Congress I respectively encourage all members of the committee to support the rules of the committee for the 119th Congress to ensure that our committee can fulfill our duties to those we represent and all Americans thank you and I'm pleased to recognize the ranking member from Massachusetts Mr nil for his remarks
▶ 0:32:26thank you chairman your explanation was better than the print suggestion on how people will be recognized and I just must say that I think the Gibbons rule has served us all pretty well here you're recognized in the order in which you came in and sat down it encourages attendance on time which is a big issue for all of us on the committee but I want to make sure here that as we honor that notion and we allow people to ask questions that we would not suggest other than yielding our own time to somebody
▶ 0:32:56who might wish to speak and consistent with the argument one is trying to make I want to make sure that we're not suggesting here for one moment that if somebody is perhaps uh out of tone with the Chairman's position that we would call on another Republican rather than a democrat in the standing order is that your yeah understanding definitely unless we're in the 2: one ratio and then that that's the only difference but absolutely okay so I would say that your your explanation was far better than the the
▶ 0:33:26print edition we'll work on the Edition thank you um the committee will now proceed to consideration of the committee roles for the 119th Congress without objection the rules will be considered as read and open for Amendment at any point I will now turn to Molly FR General councel and parliamentarian to provide a description of the proposed changes to the rules I ask the members hold their questions until after her presentation
▶ 0:33:56chairman Smith ranking member Neil and members of the committee I will provide a brief overview of the proposed changes to the rules of the committee on Ways and Means first under rule 8A the ratio for the subcommittee on trade would be changed from 19 members to 21 members 12 of whom shall be Republicans and nine of whom shall be Democrats next rule 15 would be changed to allow the chair to consider member attendance at the start of a hearing in conjunction with seniority for purposes of recognition of members to question witnesses
▶ 0:34:27that that concludes my presentation and I welcome any questions that you may have thank you are there any questions about the proposed changes to the rules does anyone wish to strike the word Mr Davis Mr Davis thank you Mr I move you know I really enjoy working on this committee and
▶ 0:34:57and especially do I enjoy working with the chairman of my subcommittee that I rank on and I continue to have some concerns though that we're calling it family support in my mind as opposed welfare that might be in some minds and calling it work and Welfare
▶ 0:35:28I think takes away a bit of what we really do and that is we try and provide support to needy families and for needy families and I don't ever view that support as an alternative to work I think that work is absolutely a virtue and it is necessary I just hope that as continue and I think we've we've had a one wonderful time
▶ 0:35:59we've passed some meaningful legislation and I just trust that we will be able to continue to do that not be encumbered with this notion that somehow or another we are keeping people away from work work is valuable but it's not really the purpose of our committee so I thank you very much and I back additional members wish to strike the last word seeing none
▶ 0:36:29we'll move to amendments are there any amendments see no amendments I will now recognize Mr Buchanan for the purpose of offering a motion Mr chairman I move the committee adopt the rules of the committee on Ways and Means for the 119th Congress the question is on the motion to adopt the rules of the committee on Ways and Means for the 19th Congress all those
▶ 0:36:59in favor signify by saying yes yes those opposed say no in the opinion of the chair the yeses haveit and the rules of the committee on Ways and Means are adopted we will now ratify the subcommittee slates listing the chair for each subcommittee Vern Buchanan Health subcommittee Adrien Smith trade subcommittee Mike Kelly tax subcommittee davidw wer oversight Ron
▶ 0:37:29Estus Social Security Darren Le Hood work and Welfare Mr nil would you please read your subcommittee ranking members into the record quite pleased to offer the names uh that will serve as ranking members Mr dogget of Texas will serve as the ranking member of the health subcommittee Mr Thompson of California will lead our work on tax policy Congressman Larsson of Connecticut will rank it be ranking member of the Social Security subcommittee Danny Davis of Illinois will serve as the ranking member of the subcommittee formerly known as the worker and family support
▶ 0:37:59subcommittee congresswoman Sanchez who late last year became the first Democratic woman to lead a ways and means subcommittee will be the ranking member of the trade sub subcommittee and representative Terry Su of Alabama will be the ranking member of the oversight subcommittee I congratulate all of you on ranking member and chairs and look forward to working with each of you the full subcommittee slates are entered into the record our next order of business is adoption of the oversiz an authorization plan for the 119th
▶ 0:38:30Congress the committee's oversight plan for the 119th Congress demonstrates a deep commitment to ensuring this nation's government is working on behalf of the American people it maintains our commitment to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars including engaging with the incoming Administration on the president's budget proposal and how it can improve the nation's economic as well as fiscal Outlook as the chief tax writing Committee in all of Congress we have a responsibility
▶ 0:39:00to perform robust oversight of the implementation and enforcement of our tax code in order to ensure it serves the American people that starts today with a hearing immediately following these proceedings on the need to extend the expiring provisions of the 2017 Trump tax cuts but developing the policy is one thing we must also protect it from exploitation particularly by certain tax exempt organizations and fraudsters
▶ 0:39:30even in recent years the IRS has had trouble maintaining its focus on this Mission and instead broke the trust of the American people with politicized leaks and unlawful actions we look forward to working with the incoming Trump Administration to hold that Federal agency accountable given the vast jurisdiction of this committee over multiple federal agencies and departments we will need to work closely with the Trump Administration to make sure these entities are operating
▶ 0:40:00efficiently and effectively and delivering results this will include collaborating with the newly created Department of government efficiency to help clean up agencies departments and programs to make them more streamlined less duplicative and more responsive to the needs of the American people our committee will work to advance better access to quality affordable care for the millions of Americas seniors on Medicare and folks with Private health insurance
▶ 0:40:30coverage this includes families who live in rural communities across the country and struggle to find even the most basic health care services we need a pro- patient pro-innovation Health Care system this committee achieved historic bipartisan success in reauthorizing and modernizing our child welfare system to better the lives of millions of Children and Families we must do more to promote the Dignity of work for the sake of the American taxpayer and those in need we must
▶ 0:41:00rid these programs of fraud we are committed to protecting and strengthening Social Security that will include ensuring the program is responsive to the needs of beneficiaries that it deploys modern tools to protect against fraud and improper payments and that it implements the laws Congress has passed properly and in a timely fashion finally we will embrace our constitutional authority over the nation's trade policies to fight for America's workers and businesses to
▶ 0:41:31ensure that existing trade laws and sanctions as well as trade agreements are enforced particularly for America's farmers and ranchers and we will combat the unfair Trade Practices of Nations like China that attempt to sack the deck against the American people there is no question that through this oversight plan we will deliver for the American people I'm pleased to recognize the ranking member from Massachusetts Mr nil for his opening statement thank you chairman committee Democrats look forward to working with our Republican
▶ 0:42:01counterparts to carry out appropriate oversight of laws and programs within the committee's jurisdiction and also to remind members of this committee that we should not seat an inch in terms of jurisdiction as it relates to our constitutional obligations and responsibility on this committee and that means for outside forces without portfolio they're certainly free to make recommendations but I think a governing principle here ought to remain within the framework of our obligations to the Constitution first we have no objection to the draft oversight plan and hope that we can
▶ 0:42:31maintain a spirit of cooperation in pursuing perhaps one of the most important roles that the House of Representatives Embraces oversight of executive the committee will now proceed to consideration of the oversight and authorization plan for the 119th Congress without objection the measure will be considered as read and open for Amendment at any point at this time I offer an amendment in the nature of a substitute which was distributed in advance along with a green sheet explaining it without
▶ 0:43:01objection the amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be considered as red open for Amendment at any point and considered base text for purpose of amendment does anyone wish to strike the last word see none are there any amendments to the oversight and authorization plan see none the question is on the adoption of the amendment in the nature of a substitute all those
▶ 0:43:31in favor signify by saying yes yes those oppose no in the opinion of the chair the yeses have it and the amendment in the nature of a substitute is agreed to I will now recognize Mr Buchanon for the purpose of offering a motion Mr chairman I move the committee adopt the Ways and Means Committee oversight and authorization plan for the9th congress as amended the question is on the motion to adopt the oversight and authorization plan as amended all those in favor signify by saying yes yes
▶ 0:44:01those oppose no in the opinion of the chair the yeses have it and the oversight and authorization plan as amended is adopted without objection I ask that the staff be authorized to make Technical and conforming changes to the oversight and authorization plan and that members have two additional days to file with the committee clerk supplemental additional dissenting or minority views there being no further business before the commit the committee stands
▶ 0:44:34journ I don't