Rep. Linda Sánchez Tapped to Serve on Exclusive House Ways and Means Committee
January 05, 2009

WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-CA) was selected today to serve on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, which plays a key role in federal legislation on taxes and health care. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made the announcement Monday evening.

“It is a privilege to join the exclusive ranks of the House Ways and Means Committee,” stated Rep. Linda Sánchez. “I am eager to get to work on pocketbook issues that affect my California constituents and am proud to represent them on this influential committee.”

Rep. Sánchez will be sworn in on January 6, 2009 for her fourth term as a Congresswoman serving the 39th district of California. She recently served as Chairwoman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law, and has been a tireless advocate for working families, labor and trade issues. Sánchez was the first Latina in history to serve on the Judiciary Committee and now breaks another barrier by becoming the first Latina to serve on the Ways and Means Committee.

“I plan to continue to serve as an advocate for working families, addressing critical issues including healthcare and retirement,” continued Sánchez. “While it was a great honor to Chair the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law, I am very excited to tackle the economic challenges facing the country in my new role.”

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 have gone on to become President of the United States, 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 U.S. House of Representatives.