Ways & Means
With its broad jurisdiction, the Ways and Means Committee impacts our pocketbooks, and in turn, nearly every aspect of our daily lives. The countries where Nebraskans can buy and sell goods, the taxes we pay, and the Social Security benefits some may receive are just a handful of the topics which fall under the committee's influence.
Learn more about how the Committee on Ways and Means impacts you by visiting the links below.
More on Ways & Means
Many Americans, including myself, are often frustrated by the inability of Congress to get important legislation passed. Congress was unable to agree to a new long-term Farm Bill last year. The Senate has not passed a budget in nearly four years. And it seems like Congress and the President are locked in constant showdowns to avoid the latest ceiling, cliff, or shutdown.
Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Congressman John B. Larson (D-CT) are encouraging members of the public, organizations, researchers and other stakeholders to submit comments, information, facts, and data relevant to the review of the current tax code being conducted by the House Committee on Ways and Means. Smith and Larson are leading the bipartisan Ways and Means Tax Reform Working Group on Financial Services.
Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) issued the following statement after being appointed to the House Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade and the Subcommittee on Health:
This week, President Obama delivered the annual State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress. The speech is a great tradition and it is an important opportunity for the President to share his vision with Congress and the American people. While there were positive elements of the speech, I was disappointed President Obama did not say anything to indicate he has a serious plan to address our nation’s most urgent problem – out-of-control federal spending and debt.
Today Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Congressman John B. Larson (D-CT) announced they are leading the Tax Reform Working Group on Financial Services. The group is one of eleven bipartisan groups established by the House Committee on Ways and Means to inform its work on comprehensive tax reform. Smith and Larson will work together to review current financial services tax law and will report back to the Committee after compiling data and information from a wide range of sources.
Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) issued the following statement following the release of the U.S.-EU High Level Working Group (HLWG) final report and the President’s announcement during the State of the Union the Administration will begin negotiations for a comprehensive trade and investment agreement with the European Union (EU):
Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) made the following statement after it was announced Japan would ease some restrictions on beef imports from the U.S. Today’s agreement will allow for expanded exports of beef and beef products to Japan, the largest beef market in Asia:
Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) along with other members of the House Committee on Ways and Means met with Members of the European Parliament Committee on International Trade to directly discuss trade issues, including the possibility of a transatlantic U.S.-European Union (EU) trade agreement. During the meeting, Smith stressed the importance of addressing agriculture trade barriers as part of any trade agreement with the EU.
Reducing the barriers to international trade has been one of the major accomplishments of the 112th Congress. While many are rightfully frustrated by the lack of bipartisanship, expanding access to trade remains an all-too-rare bright spot for cooperation.