Ways and Means
Ways and Means is the oldest and most prestigious Committee in Congress. It is responsible for some of the most important issues faced by Congress: tax, trade and tariff, Social Security, Medicare, as well as unemployment benefits, enforcement of child support laws, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), foster care and adoption programs.
In addition to serving on the Human Resources Subcommittee and the Health Subcommittee, I act as the Ranking Member of the Oversight Subcommittee which conducts oversight of all programs within the Jurisdiction of the Full Ways and Means Committee. We have conducted hearings to oversee the activities of the Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department, charitable organizations who are given special tax exemption under the Internal Revenue Code, and the administration of the Medicare program.
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WASHINGTON—Rep. John Lewis made the following statement on the House floor today to bolster support for the legislation he authored as Ranking Member on the Ways & Means Subcommittee on Oversight. The Taxpayer First Act (H.R.
WASHINGTON — This afternoon, the House Ways and Means Committee passed unprecedented tax cut legislation. As the only Georgian serving on the House Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Lewis tracked all Committee votes and amendments to ensure that public received timely information. Following the completion of the four-day markup, Rep. Lewis made the following statement –
WASHINGTON — Today during the House Ways and Means Committee markup of H.R. 1, the House Republican tax cut bill, Reps. John Lewis (GA), Ron Kind (WI), Judy Chu (CA), Suzan K. DelBene (WA), Lloyd Doggett (TX), Brian Higgins (NY), Danny K. Davis (IL), and Earl Blumenauer (OR) offered an amendment to restore the “Johnson Amendment”.
This simple amendment would restore the 53-year standard that prohibits religious, nonprofit, charitable, and related organizations from engaging in political activities.
WASHINGTON — Today, the House Ways and Means Committee reconvened to continue markup of irresponsible H.R.1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
The committee considered eight amendments offered by Democrats. Republicans voted down amendments that would have helped the middle class by extending the child tax credit, encouraging employers to hire veterans, reinstating the adoption tax credit, and taxing corporations at the same rate domestically and abroad. They voted against the middle class. They voted against what is best for America.
On December 19 and 20, 2017, Congressional Republicans passed H.R. 1, their bill to cut taxes for the richest Americans and for corporations on the backs of working and middle-class families, students, and seniors.
This plan, first introduced in the House on November 2, affects every American, every taxpayer in current and future generations. In response to constituent concerns about this bill's impact, the below pages track every aspect of the bill's movement in the House and Senate.
Rep. John Lewis made this statement today in the Ways & Means Oversight Subcommittee Hearing on the Social Security Representative Payee Program:
Good Morning. Mr. Chairmen, thank you for holding today’s hearing. I would also like to thank all the witnesses for being here today.
In anticipation of Tax Day, falling this year on Monday, April 18th, Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) introduced three common-sense tax policy improvements. These include H.R. 4912, the Taxpayer Protection Act of 2016; H.R. 4948, the Artist-Museum Partnership Act of 2016; and H.R. 4949, the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award Tax Relief Act of 2016.
Improved Taxpayer Services and Protections
Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wa) is my seat mate on the Ways and Means Committee. I have sat next to him for many years. We have worked closely together, traveled to other states and foreign lands in congressional delegations together, and I will miss his presence here on Capitol Hill.
WASHINGTON--Rep. John Lewis made this statement today about the turmoil confronting the IRS:
“I am deeply disturbed by the findings in the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration’s report that the Internal Revenue Service used inappropriate criteria to scrutinize tax-exempt applications.