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RYAN WINS SEAT ON WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE

WASHINGTON – First District Congressman Paul Ryan last night won a seat on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over taxes, Social Security, Medicare, and over the authority of the Federal Government to borrow money (in other words, the public debt), among other things.

"I am pleased and honored to have been selected to serve on this key committee," said Ryan. "This new assignment will give me greater opportunity to tackle the issues critical to First District residents, particularly strengthening Social Security, improving Medicare, reforming taxes, and reducing the public debt." Ryan added: "I'm looking forward to working with my colleagues – as well as Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson, who has recently been nominated as Health and Human Services Secretary – on these and other vital issues."

The House Republican Steering Committee last night voted for Ryan as one of two new Republican Members on the Ways and Means Committee for the 107th Congress. Texas Congressman Kevin Brady is the other Republican Member who was selected. In an organizational meeting this morning, Ways and Means subcommittee assignments were determined. Ryan will serve on the Subcommittee on Social Security as well as the Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures, which will consider revenue items on a case-by-case basis at the referral of the Chairman of the Committee.

"Paul was chosen for Ways and Means because of his consistent hard work, his demonstrated ability, and his leadership on protecting Social Security through lockbox measures. Paul proved himself in his first term, and I look forward to working with him as he takes on his new responsibilities," said Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert.

"I’m very pleased to welcome both Congressman Brady and Congressman Ryan to the Ways and Means Committee.  Both of them are talented additions to our team.  We have a great deal of work to accomplish in this session of Congress, and I’m confident that these two Members will help us achieve our goals on behalf of the American people on whose trust and support we depend," said Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Thomas.

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