Buchanan Loses Bid to Chair Powerful Ways & Means Committee

BRADENTON – Congressman Vern Buchanan (R-Longboat Key) was expected to be the chair of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee for the 118th Congress. However, the GOP's tumultuous fight over the Speaker of the House position contributed to the chairmanship going to Congressman Jason Smith (R-Missouri), a close ally of newly-elected Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

Smith's ascent was a surprise to many, who saw Buchanan, the most senior member of the committee, as the front-runner in a three-way race that also included Adrian Smith (R-Nebraska). Buchanan had the support of Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana), but it proved to be less than enough when the votes were counted.

Buchannan was said to have pressed hard for the chairmanship, pushing his seniority, as well as his experience leading five of the panel's six subcommittees.

"I want to congratulate Jason and wish him well," Buchanan said in a statement. "We have a big agenda to fulfill and I look forward to working with him and the committee on shared priorities. This is a big loss for Florida which hasn’t had a committee chairman in five years despite being the fastest-growing state with the second-largest Republican delegation in the House. Florida deserves a seat at the leadership table. Our party needs to move forward and show the country that we’re ready to lead."

The Committee on Ways and Means has long been regarded as the most prestigious committee in the House, and its chairmanship is a significant political prize as it is seen as a way in which a representative can gain considerable leverage in delivering for their home district.

The committee serves as the chief tax-writing committee of the House and has jurisdiction over all taxation, tariffs, and other revenue-raising measures, as well as a number of other programs including Social Security, unemployment benefits, Medicare, the enforcement of child support laws, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, foster care and adoption programs.