Committees and Caucuses

Ways and Means Committee

Congressman Reichert serves as the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Trade.  He is also a member of the Subcommittee on Tax Policy and the Subcommittee on Human Resources. During his tenure on the Ways and Means Committee, he has served as chairman of both the Tax Policy and Human Resources Subcommittees.

Reichert was first appointed to the Ways and Means Committee, the oldest in the United States Congress and the chief tax-writing committee, in January 2009. Now as a senior member of the committee, Reichert believes his service on the Trade, Tax Policy, and Human Resources subcommittees in the 114th 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.

“I am very honored to have the opportunity to lead the Trade Subcommittee and champion some of the issues that have the greatest impact on Washingtonians. Washington State is one of the most trade-dependent states in the country with 40 percent of our jobs and more than $90 billion in annual exports connected to trade. In the Eighth District alone, 77,100 jobs are supported by trade, and our growers, producers, and businesses export approximately $8.6 billion in goods and services each year,” said Rep. Reichert. “With the release of the text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and our ongoing negotiations with the EU, this is a critical time for trade. As a long-time advocate of expanding trade opportunities, I will continue fighting on behalf of our workers, farmers, and businesses across the country, because I firmly believe through high-standard trade agreements we see expanded opportunities for all.”

“I am also pleased to continue my work updating and reforming our tax code as the Chairman Emeritus and second in seniority on the Tax Policy Subcommittee. Ensuring our tax code helps families keep more of their hard-earned money and allows small businesses to thrive is a top priority for our nation. Additionally, I am returning to the Human Resources Subcommittee where I look forward to continuing the work I began when I chaired the subcommittee last Congress to protect children and those who are the most vulnerable in society.

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 Select Revenue Measures Subcommittee of the Committee on Ways and Means has jurisdiction over the United States Tax Code provisions and measures referred to it by the Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee and plays a lead role in all tax reform legislation.

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 Freight Caucus (Co-Chair)

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

Special Appointments

Congressman Reichert was appointed to the President’s Export Council (PEC), the nation’s principle advisory committee on international trade, where he will continue his vocal advocacy for a robust trade agenda and passage of pending free trade agreements.