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
Washington, DC – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) today released the following statement on President Obama’s State of the Union address:
“Strengthening our nation’s economy – creating jobs and putting Americans back to work – is the number one priority for Nebraskans,” said Smith. “But we aren’t looking for more of the same policies of the last three years – more government, more taxes, more stimulus spending. It hasn’t worked.
Thomas Jefferson once opined, “History convinces me that most bad government has grown out of too much government.” Never has this sentiment proven to be more true than today. Certainly, I could point to numerous examples of the ill effects of bureaucratic largesse. One such example gaining attention in Congress is a provision of President Obama’s unpopular health care law called the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports, or CLASS Act.
Washington, D.C.– Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) today issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives gaveled in the Second Session of the 112th Congress:
As we close the book on 2011, there is no question political brinksmanship prevented opportunities for America to move forward. There were, however, consequential, bipartisan accomplishments which will benefit the country. One area where Republicans and Democrats, Congress and the White House were all able to come together was advancing an aggressive trade agenda.
The November jobs report, which showed nearly twice as many Americans dropped out of the labor force than found work, underscored the deep and systemic problems still affecting the economy. One of those areas is our outdated tax code. Over the years, it has grown too complicated and cumbersome, and it is fundamentally unfair. There are many drivers of our sluggish economy, but we never will recover the jobs lost during the recession unless we undertake comprehensive tax reform.
One of the most significant challenges holding back the American economy is our overly complex and outdated tax code. Instead of having tax policy to encourage hiring American workers and investing here in the United States, our obsolete tax system incentivizes businesses to leave profits and jobs overseas. This dynamic is stifling job growth here in Nebraska and across the country. If we are serious about stimulating our economy, it is time to reform the tax system to make the United States a more competitive place to invest and create much-needed jobs.
After nearly five years of delay and political gamesmanship the trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea finally passed the U.S. House of Representatives with bipartisan support. It was a pivotal moment for America’s economy. With these agreements our economic and national security will be strengthened; and more opportunity will be created for our farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, and workers.
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) today voted in support of the trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea as all three agreements passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support.