U.S. House of Representative seal U.S. Representative Allyson Y. Schwartz
Representing the 13th Congressional District of Pennsylvania
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 12, 2006		 CONTACT:  Rachel Magnuson, 202-225-6111
 
Congresswoman Schwartz Appointed to the Committee on Ways and Means
 
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz was appointed today by the House Democratic Leadership to serve on the Committee on Ways and Means. Widely considered the most powerful committee in Congress, the Committee on Ways and Means has jurisdiction over all tax, tariff and other revenue-raising measures. In addition, the Committee oversees federal initiatives such as Social Security and Medicare.

 

“I am honored to have been appointed to serve on the Committee on Ways and Means. We have our work cut out for us – from lowering the tax burden on middle class families to ensuring Social Security’s long term solvency and tackling the nation's healthcare crisis, the work of this Committee will address many of the most important issues facing our nation,” said Congresswoman Schwartz.

 

In selecting Congresswoman Schwartz for the prestigious committee, the House Democratic Leadership recognized Schwartz’s knowledge, legislative experience, and her significant understanding of the major issues under the Committee's jurisdiction.

 

Schwartz will be only in her second term in Congress when the appointment takes effect in the 110th Congress. The new Democratic-led Congress reconvenes on January 4, 2007. The committee will be chaired by Rep. Charles Rangel of New York. The small and powerful committee will be comprised of only 41 members, including 24 Democrats.

 

Of the 19 member Pennsylvania congressional delegation, Schwartz will be one of just two members, and the only Pennsylvania Democrat, serving on the Committee on Ways and Means in the 110th Congress. 

 

Schwartz will also be the first Democrat Member of Congress from the Philadelphia region to serve on the Committee since the 1970s.

 

Major issues that have gone through the committee in recent years include welfare reform, Medicare prescription drug bill, Social Security reform, President Bush’s tax cut proposals, and the NAFTA and CAFTA trade agreements.

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