Press Releases

Today, Congressman Jodey Arrington (TX19) was selected by the House Republican Steering Committee to serve on the Committee on Ways and Means. Arrington will fill one of three open seats on the committee. “As a representative of the largest agriculture and energy production region in the world, my mission is to put West Texas and our values in the best position to influence the outcome of national policy and to give the strongest voice in our nation’s capital to our food, fuel, and fiber producers in rural America,” said Arrington. “Ways and Means is the committee with the broadest and most significant policymaking authority in the United States Congress. As the oldest Congressional committee, dating back to 1789, Ways and Means has the most extensive legislative jurisdiction including tax, trade, healthcare, Social Security, and welfare. Now that we have supported the agriculture community for the next five years by passing a strong Farm Bill and restoring cotton to the safety net, my focus will now be to grow agriculture’s stake in the global marketplace. “As a member of the Committee, prioritizing Rural America’s most critical issues – agriculture, energy, and healthcare – will remain my driving force. As the House deliberates the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, I will work to ensure our nation’s producers have access to open and fair trade around the world. In anticipation of attempted rollbacks by the Democrats of pro-growth tax and regulatory policies, I will fight for free market policies that encourage domestic energy production and ensure America remains energy independent. Finally, I will work tirelessly to revitalize our nation’s rural healthcare system, insisting upon the necessary resources to ensure our agriculture and energy producers continue to feed, clothe, and fuel the American people. “I am thankful to my friends in West Texas for electing me to represent our rural interests and values and to my colleagues in the House for the opportunity to serve my constituents on this Committee. This appointment is an honor, and I will steward it well.” Agriculture Committee “There has never been a more important time to have an ag-focused voice on Ways and Means,”Ranking Member Mike Conaway stated. “While we will miss him serving on the Ag Committee, I know Jodey will continue advocating for our farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses, especially in regards to expanding trade opportunities, in his appointment to Ways and Means.” Office of the Republican Leader “Jodey has been a champion for agriculture and helped lead the fight last Congress to restore cotton to the ag safety net, a legislative fix that was desperately needed for cotton growers throughout the nation. That was a big win for American-grown cotton in California, West Texas, and across America, and I know that his efforts to support our producers will remain strong now that he has a ‘seat at the table’ on Ways and Means,” said Leader Kevin McCarthy. Ways and Means Committee “Jodey is a fantastic choice to serve on our Committee. Our Republican pro-growth agenda has made a real and positive impact for American families and businesses, and he will be an invaluable addition in helping build on that success,” Ranking Member Kevin Brady said. “I look forward to our work together as we aim to improve retirement security for our workers, continue to cut taxes for middle-class families, and lower health care costs for patients and providers.” Texas Farm Bureau “Texas Farm Bureau is proud of Congressman Jodey Arrington’s appointment to the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means,” said President Russell Boening. “He has served as an active and effective member on the House Agriculture Committee and we know he will continue to be a strong advocate for agriculture in his new post. “The House Ways and Means Committee has jurisdiction over many issues important to Texas farmers and ranchers, such as trade, taxes and regulatory reform. At a time when international trade is at the forefront of the issues impacting Texas’ agriculture economy, it is especially important to have an advocate for us on the House Ways and Means Committee. We look forward to working with Congressman Arrington in his new role.” National Cotton Council “During his first term, Congressman Arrington has worked closely with both the NCC and its members to achieve policy advancements for the agriculture industry,” Chairman Ron Craft stated. “He proved his commitment to agriculture through his active role in improving cotton’s safety net, pushing tax reform and deregulations, and negotiating the 2018 farm bill. The U.S. cotton industry is thankful for his role in ensuring that a new, stronger farm bill supports a healthy and thriving rural economy.” Craft noted that Arrington specifically has defended crucial farm bill provisions that play an integral role in helping cotton producers survive and cotton textile manufacturers compete in a highly competitive global marketplace. “He worked hard to restore cotton as a Title I commodity, preserve the Economic Adjustment Assistance Program (EAAP) for upland cotton users, and protect family farms from punitive eligibility rules,” Craft said. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association “The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is thrilled that the steering committee has selected Congressman Arrington to serve on the House Ways and Means Committee,” said Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Colin Woodall. “Congressman Arrington’s deep understanding of the challenges facing America’s cattle producers makes him well suited to serve on this important committee. “The House Ways and Means Committee’s actions on tax and trade policy have a direct and lasting impact on ranchers and their families.  Mr. Arrington will ensure that our voice is heard, especially as the committee looks at pending and upcoming trade agreements.  His selection to serve on this committee is great news for agriculture.” Plains Cotton Growers “We congratulate Congressman Jodey Arrington on his appointment to the Ways and Means Committee,” President Stacy Smith said. “Congressman Arrington’s presence helps ensure that our cotton growers have a seat at the table when it comes to discussing critical issues, including trade and tax reform, that impact them directly. We appreciate the Congressman’s willingness to serve on this committee.” Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association “On behalf of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, I would like to congratulate Rep. Jodey Arrington on his selection to the House Committee on Ways and Means,” said President Robert McKnight, Jr. “Throughout his career, the congressman has been a steadfast supporter of ranchers and landowners, and we know he will bring that same commitment to his post on Ways and Means.” Rolling Plains Cotton Growers “The prestigious Ways and Means Committee has oversight of a variety of issues that affect the cotton industry and the communities that make up the Rolling Plains of West Texas,” said Chairman Richard Gaona. “With over 80% of U.S. cotton exported overseas, and those markets being volatile at times, trade is a chief concern to our producers. We would appreciate representation on this committee from a member who represents our industry and meets with industry leadership on a regular basis. We appreciate Jodey’s leadership on cotton related issues in the 115th Congress and know he will continue to do good work on our behalf in the 116th Congress.” BACKGROUND: First established in 1789, the House Ways and Means Committee is the oldest Congressional committee with the broadest jurisdiction of policies, chief among them the ability to levy taxes and raise revenue. In fact, the Committee derives a share of its responsibilities from Article I, Section VII of the Constitution which pronounces: “All bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives.” In the 115th Congress, the House debated 100 pieces of Ways and Means legislation – of those, 12 were signed into law, including the most significant pro-growth tax reform bill since 1986, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Since the Committee’s formation, eight Presidents and eight Vice Presidents have served on Ways and Means, as have 21 Speakers of the House of Representatives, and four Justices of the Supreme Court.