PLASKETT ANNOUNCES RETURN TO THE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS

For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland
January 7, 2025 202-808-6129

PRESS STATEMENT

PLASKETT ANNOUNCES RETURN TO THE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement after being unanimously nominated by the Democratic Caucus to return to the powerful Committee on Ways and Means in the U.S. House of Representatives: <_u53a_p>

"In the 118^th, Congressional Democrats lost three seats on the Ways and Means Committee and the most junior members, which included myself, had to step down from the Committee. In the 117^th Congress, I became the first member ever from a Territory to serve on the Ways and Means Committee. With the narrowing of the margins of majority and minority parties in the 119^th Congress, Democrats had the ability to bring a few of the members back. It is my honor to return as a member in this term, to be a voice for Virgin Islanders, all the territories, and hard working Americans. As the oldest and chief tax-writing committee in the House of Representatives, Ways and Means has jurisdiction over key economic policy issues including revenues, trade and health care policy. 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.

"The decisions made by this committee have a profound impact on the economy, health, and welfare of Virgin Islands families. While on Ways and Means in the 117^th Congress, I secured federal reimbursements in the American Rescue Plan Act for the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit in the Virgin Islands, which amounts to $20 million annually for our territory. That is the funding source for the Govenor and legislature's budget allocation for making timely tax returns to Virgin Islanders. In addition, I secured a permanent extension of the Medicaid federal funding rate in the Virgin Islands to 83 percent, the highest level legally allowed to any state - marking an end to Medicaid funding 'cliffs' in the Virgin Islands.<_u53a_p>

"In 2025, many of the temporary provisions enacted under President Trump's 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) will expire. As Democrats negotiate with Republicans, we will rely on our proven record of using the tax code to invest in workers, families, and pro-growth policies to place our economy on a sustainable path. I look forward to working with my fellow committee members to strengthen the retirement security system, social safety net, and critical infrastructure that so many Americans rely on. Issues of the rum cover-over, excise taxes, customs, tax incentive programs, and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program are all within the jurisdiction of Ways and Means.<_u53a_p>

"I would like to thank Leader Jeffries, Whip Clark and the members of the Steering and Policy Committee and the Caucus for having such confidence in me to return me to the most important elusive Committee to support Virgin Islands business owners, taxpayers, and working families to ensure representation on a committee so central to the business of the 119^th Congress. I look forward to working with Ranking Member Neal who has been a stellar leader of the Committee, is a fighter against economic inequality, and has become a mentor and great friend."<_u53a_p>

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