Committees and Caucuses

Ways and Means Committee

Congressman Reichert serves as Chairman of the Human Resources Subcommittee of the House Ways and Means committee as well as the Trade Subcommittee:

Reichert was first appointed to the Ways & Means Committee, the oldest in the United States Congress and the chief tax-writing committee, in January 2009. Now seventh in seniority on the committee majority, Reichert anticipates his service on the Trade and Human Resources subcommittees in the 113th Congress will afford many opportunities to continue his distinguished leadership and advocacy for job-creating economic policy, the promotion of trade and new market access for American businesses, and defending the vulnerable by realizing the potential of assistance programs through reform, modernization, and elimination of waste.

“As Chairman of Human Resources, I will be working with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to improve those programs that are designed to help Americans who have fallen on hard times,” said Reichert. “I look forward to leading efforts to ensure those who are able to work have the tools necessary to secure employment, and provide for themselves and their families. In Washington’s 8th district, sustaining and creating jobs for those seeking opportunity goes hand-in-hand with international trade. International trade creates and supports hundreds of thousands of Washington State jobs. Serving on the Trade Subcommittee will help to ensure that Washington farmers, workers, businesses, and services providers, and all American businesses, have access to consumers outside of our borders and can continue to excel in the global marketplace.”

BACKGROUND
Reichert was appointed to the House Committee on Ways and Means on January 6, 2009, and prior to the 113th Congress served on the Health, Trade, Oversight and Social Security Subcommittees. The Committee on Ways and Means derives a large share of its jurisdiction from Article I, Section VII of the U.S. Constitution which declares, "All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives."

In addition to trade agreements, the jurisdiction of the Subcommittee on Trade includes bills and matters that relate to customs and customs administration including tariff and import fee structure, classification, valuation of and special rules applying to imports, and special tariff provisions and procedures which relate to customs operation affecting exports and imports … more here.

The Human Resources Subcommittee of the Committee on Ways and Means has jurisdiction over the public assistance provisions of the Social Security Act, including temporary assistance for needy families, child care, child and family services, child support, foster care, adoption, supplemental security income, and social services, among other forms of assistance. The jurisdiction of the Subcommittee also includes the federal-State unemployment insurance program, including the federal programs for extended and emergency unemployment benefits.

Law Enforcement Caucus



Children's Health Care Caucus



Goods Movement Caucus

Congressional Soccer Caucus (Co-Chair)
The mission of the caucus is to encourage legislation, activities and events that promote the use of soccer as a vehicle for developing healthy lifestyles in children.

Special Olympics of Washington State (Board of Directors)
The vision of Special Olympics is to help bring all persons with intellectual disabilities into the larger society under conditions whereby they are accepted, respected and given the chance to become useful and productive citizens. Special Olympics Washington provides athletes continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of skills with their families, other Special Olympic athletes, and the community.

Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus

Congressional Caucus to Fight and Control Methamphetamine

Congressional Caucus on Drug Policy

Congressional Down Syndrome Caucus

Congressional Fire Services Caucus

Congressional Global Health Caucus (Co-Chair)

Congressional Health Care Coalition

Congressional Hunger Caucus

Congressional Multiple Sclerosis Caucus

Congressional Task Force on Childhood Obesity (Co-Chair)

Congressional Kids Healthcare Caucus

Congressional Malaria Caucus

Congressional Port Security Caucus

Congressional Suburban Agenda Caucus

Congressional Victims’ Rights Caucus