Jurisdiction & Rules
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Jurisdiction of the Committee on Ways and Means
The U.S. Constitution requires that all bills regarding taxation must originate in the House of Representatives. The Committee of Ways and Means is the chief tax-writing committee of the United States House of Representatives. Members of the Ways and Means Committee are not allowed to serve on any other House Committees unless they apply for a waiver from their party's congressional leadership. The Committee has jurisdiction over all taxation, tariffs, and other revenue-raising measures, as well as a number of other programs including:
- Social Security
- Unemployment insurance
- Medicare
- Enforcement of child support laws
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- Foster care and adoption programs
Click here to read the full text of the committee's jurisdiction.
Rules
The Committee on Ways and Means has adopted rules for the 113th Congress. Click here to read the rules.
Previous rules for the Committee on Ways and Means:
111th Congress (PDF)
110th Congress (PDF)
109th Congress (PDF)
108th Congress
107th Congress
106th Congress
105th Congress (PDF)