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The Committee of Ways and Means is the chief tax-writing committee of the United States House of...

The Committee of Ways and Means is the chief tax-writing committee of the United States House of Representatives. Members of the Ways and Means Committee cannot serve on any other House Committees, though they can apply for a waiver from their party's congressional leadership. The Committee has jurisdiction over all taxation, tariffs and other revenue-raising measures, as well as a number of other programs including: The U.S. Constitution requires that all bills regarding taxation must originate in the House of Representatives, and House procedure is that all bills regarding taxation must go through this committee. These stipulations make this House committee particularly powerful, especially in comparison with its Senate counterpart, the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance. The Ways and Means Committee in the 111th Congress is chaired by Representative Charles Rangel of New York, whose political strength is weakened as the House investigates his alleged ethics violations and calls have increased for him to step down from chairing the powerful committee, at least while the investigation continues. Next in line behind Rangel to chair the Ways and Means Committee is Representative Pete