NEW JERSEY REPRESENTATIVE FIRST TO SERVE ON COMMITTEE IN OVER A DECADE

PATERSON--U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-08) was informed today by House of Representatives Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi, that he has been selected by the Democratic Caucus Steering Committee to serve on the exclusive House Committee on Ways and Means.  Pascrell will be the first New Jersey Representative to serve on the Committee in over a decade.  

“I am honored to join the exclusive ranks of the House Ways and Means Committee,” stated Rep. Pascrell.  “The pocketbook issues that affect New Jersey’s residents will finally be represented in Congress’ longest standing committee.  I have worked hard and am proud to be able to bring Garden State values to this influential committee.”

“These will be exciting times to serve under the leadership of Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi and Chairman-designate Charlie Rangel.  I am motivated to do my homework and vote for the benefit of my district, the state of New Jersey and the country.  Certainly the Ways and Means Committee will do its share in repairing a broken legislative branch.  We’re ready for the task.

“Restoring America’s urban areas that have been decimated by manufacturing job loss and economic hardship is a theme that needs to be re-addressed by this Congress.  As a former mayor who knows the inner workings of our cities, economic restoration is a theme that will define many of my goals.  With this opportunity, I will be a strong advocate of fair trade deals that will reduce our trade deficit and work to foster good-paying jobs here at home.

“My commitment to addressing flaws within the alternative minimum tax loophole will be a high priority in our suburbs.  I am better postured than ever before to ensure a guaranteed Social Security benefit for our retired and disabled workers, and have an incredible opportunity to reform of America’s healthcare crisis.”        

Created in 1789, Ways and Means is the oldest standing Committee in Congress.  Due to its broad jurisdiction on critical issues - involving economic policy, international trade, welfare, Social Security, Medicare and health care policy - the committee occupies a pivotal place in the House Committee system.  In addition to legislating, the Committee exercises broad oversight authority in all these areas.

The Ways and Means Committee’s rich history of membership includes eight members who gone on to become the United States Presidents, eight members who have gone on to become U.S. Vice Presidents, and twenty-one members who have gone on to become Speaker in the United States House of Representatives.

New Jersey has not enjoyed Congressional representation on the Ways and Means Committee since 1996 when Republican Rep. Dick Zimmer served for one term.  U.S. Rep. Frank Guarini was the last Democrat to serve on the committee.  His long and outstanding tenure ended in 1992.  

Governor Jon S. Corzine played an instrumental role in supporting Pascrell’s bid for the position.  In addition, Pascrell’s candidacy for the position was supported in a letter signed by the entire New Jersey Democratic Congressional Delegation that stated, “In his ten years in Congress, Bill’s values, experience and commitment to principle have been acutely evident in our Caucus. Whether in fighting for a balanced budget that protects Social Security and Medicare, vociferously advocating for fair trade legislation that would help American workers deal with the growing global economy, or fighting against deficit exploding tax cuts for the wealthiest few, Bill has consistently taken stands that improve people’s day to day lives.  He has our unconditional endorsement.”

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