About the Ways and Means Committee:
The Committee on Ways and Means is the oldest committee of the United States Congress and serves as the chief tax-writing committee in the House of Representatives. The Committee derives much of its jurisdiction from Article I, Section VII of the Constitution which declares, “All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives.”
In addition to serving as the chief tax-writing committee, Ways and Means also has jurisdiction over revenue and related issues such as tariffs, reciprocal trade agreements, and the bonded debt of the United States. The Committee also oversees revenue-related aspects of the Social Security system, Medicare, and social services programs.
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