COMMITTEE on WAYS and MEANS

Facts Are Stubborn Things

America Then and Now – Obama Policies Have Put America at Risk

Jan 27, 2012-- Earlier this week during his State of the Union address, President Obama said, “The defining issue of our time is how to keep that [American] promise alive.” What he conveniently omitted from his speech was that his failed policies have done nothing to make it easier to achieve, or afford, success.  In fact, as the table below shows, the Obama Administration has left Americans worse off.... more

Press Release

Camp, Herger Ask for Information Surrounding Unchecked Health Organization

Jan 27, 2012-- Washington, DC – Today, Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) and Health Subcommittee Chairman Wally Herger (R-CA) sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius requesting information on the operations and practices of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI), including an explanation of why Medicare and Medicaid duties are being delegated to the U.S. Depa... more

The Trade Report

The Trade Report - Job Creators Across the Country Express Concerns About President Obama's Trade Reorganization Plan

Jan 26, 2012-- Recently, President Obama proposed creating a new department by combining the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) with most of the Department of Commerce and several other government agencies. The President suggests the move will streamline government, help small businesses and promote exports.  However, placing USTR, one of the most nimble government agencies with a track... more

The Jobs Search

Then and Now: Little Reason to Believe President’s Latest Policies Will Be Any More Successful than His Past Policies

Jan 26, 2012-- On January 24, 2012, the President said in his annual State of the Union Address: “This is a make or break moment for the middle class, and all those who are fighting to get into the middle class.”  Throughout his address, the President outlined his ideas for “helping” the middle class.  The words may sound familiar, but the promise rings hollow.  This is especially true when you co... more

The Tax Tracker

Littered with Loopholes

Jan 26, 2012-- Instead of focusing on tax reform that can create jobs, President Obama used this week’s State of the Union address to talk about how he intends to take more money away from employers, investors and savers in order to create new carve-outs for a few industries and projects favored by his administration.  Reforming our tax code to make it simpler, fairer and more conducive to job creation and ... more

The Jobs Search

Hallelujah - We Agree! House UI Reforms Require High School Dropouts to Pursue GED, Mirroring President’s Call in SOTU

Jan 25, 2012-- Last night President Obama had this to say about the importance of completing high school for teenagers: “We also know that when students aren’t allowed to walk away from their education, more of them walk the stage to get their diploma.  So tonight, I call on every State to require that all students stay in high school until they graduate or turn eighteen.”   The President’s call for ... more

The Tax Tracker

Rhetoric v. Reality: Taxes and Income

Jan 25, 2012-- Despite ongoing claims that high-income Americans pay taxes at a lower rate than middle- or low-income Americans, recent statements in the press and actual data from nonpartisan sources show that that is not the case: 51% Pay No Income Taxes: “In summary, for tax year 2009, approximately 22 percent of all tax units, including filers and non filers, will have zero income tax liability,... more