“Mr. Chairman, thank you for calling this member day hearing on tax reform proposals. This is our third member day hearing. Today we will continue to hear from our colleagues on their tax proposals. The Ways and Means Committee has an important job and responsibility. We must take our jurisdictional reach seriously. As you know, historically our committee has had jurisdiction over approximately a quarter of all legislation introduced in the House of Representatives. Of the bills referred to the Ways and Means Committee, more than half are tax bills.
“We are the gatekeepers. As such, we must make sure that we scrutinize every piece of legislation put before us to ensure only the best ideas move forward. Today is an excellent opportunity to hear from our colleagues, and to start the process of making sure only the best ideas rise to the top.
“Mr. Chairman, in your introductory remarks, you said that “members have invested a great deal of time and energy to develop legislation that we can use to make our current tax code work better for all Americans." I completely agree with you. Many members on this committee have thoughtful pieces of legislation that have languished in legislative purgatory due to committee inaction. It is time to not only have these thoughtful pieces of legislation granted a hearing, but to actually act on these pieces of legislation.
“If legislation is not controversial, opposed by the administration, and introduced in a bipartisan and fiscally responsible manner, the committee should work expeditiously to get it approved. This builds good will and comity. After all, how can we be expected to pass a large tax reform package without passing smaller non-controversial items?
“Reforming our tax code remains of the utmost importance. I look forward to hearing from our witnesses today on how their plans will create jobs, promote economic growth, and grow the middle class."
