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Linda Sánchez Selected for Exclusive Ways and Means Committee (December 12, 2012)

December 12, 2012

Washington,DC – Congresswoman Linda Sánchez (CA-39) was selectedtoday to serve on the powerful and prestigious House Ways and MeansCommittee. This morning, the full Democratic Caucus voted to approve theDemocratic member assignment recommendations made by the House DemocraticSteering and Policy Committee for the 113th Congress.

TheHouse Ways and Means Committee is the chief tax-writing committee in Congressand also plays a critical role in federal legislation on trade, SocialSecurity, and Medicare. Congresswoman Sánchez previously served on the HouseWays and Means Committee in the 111th Congress, making history in2009 by becoming the first Latina to serve on the exclusive committee.

"It is a privilege to be back on theinfluential House Ways and Means Committee," saidCongresswoman Sánchez. "The Ways and Means Committee directly impactsthe issues my constituents in California care about the most—a fair tax code,strengthened Social Security and Medicare benefits, and trade policies thatkeep good paying jobs in this country. I am proud to bring myconstituents' voices and their perspective to the committee as we prepare toaddress critical economic issues confronting our nation's working families."

Inaddition to serving on the House Ways and Means Committee, CongresswomanSánchez will also serve as the Ranking Member on the House Ethics Committee inthe 113th Congress.

Background

TheHouse Ways and Means is the oldest standing Committee in Congress. Because of broad jurisdiction on critical issues—economic policy, internationaltrade, welfare, Social Security, Medicare and health care policy—the Ways andMeans Committee is an indispensable part of the House Committee system. Eight Presidents and eight Vice Presidents have served on the House Ways and MeansCommittee. Twenty-one members of Ways and Means have gone on to becomeSpeaker of the House of Representatives.

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