FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 10, 2010

Paulsen Appointed to Influential Ways and Means Committee
Key assignment gives Paulsen opportunity to strengthen Minnesota economy and help small business

Washington, D.C. –Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-03) announces his appointment to the House Ways and Means Committee for the incoming 112^th Congress. As a member of the Ways and Means Committee, Paulsen will play an important role in enacting pro-growth polices to create jobs and put people back to work.

“I am honored my colleagues selected me to serve on the Ways and Means Committee and am grateful to be given this privilege and responsibility,” said Rep. Paulsen. “I look forward to working with incoming Chairman Camp and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to address our country's economic challenges. We must work through the tough issues and steer our nation towards a path of growth, prosperity and long term economic security.”

“I want to congratulate Congressman Paulsen on being named to the Committee on Ways and Means,” said incoming Chairman Dave Camp (MI-04). “Erik’s common sense approach will be vital as we address the major economic issues our country is currently facing. I look forward to serving with him in the 112th Congress.”

The House Committee on Ways and Means is the chief tax writing committee and is tasked with framing the nation’s economic, health care and trade policy. Paulsen joins a respected list of Minnesota Third District representatives who have served on the Ways and Means Committee, including Jim Ramstad (1995-2008) and Bill Frenzel (1975-1990).

Paulsen looks to use his new committee assignment as a platform to raise awareness of the medical technology industry, a true Minnesota success story. Paulsen led the fight against the medical device tax in the new health care law and will continue working for its repeal, as well as streamlining onerous regulations that punish medical innovation and the creation of new life-saving technologies.

Paulsen, a champion of small business and advocate of free enterprise, entrepreneurship, and innovation currently serves on the House Financial Services Committee, and is co-chair of the Congressional Korea-U.S. Free Trade Working Group and co-chair of the House Medical Technology Caucus.

For more information on Rep. Paulsen’s work in Congress, please visit www.paulsen.house.gov.

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