For the first time in more than 15 years, more Americans say free trade helps rather than hurts our economy. That's the takeaway from a new poll out this morning. According to the NBC News-Wall Street Journal survey, the finding "is a turning point: it marks the first time in more than 15 years that a plurality of Americans said that free trade helped. The last time Americans had more positive than negative views of trade was in December 1999." The reasons to support trade are clear, and the mes... Read more

By Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA) It's said that when the plan for the ancient city of Alexandria was presented to the great Alexander, his master builder pointed with pride to an ingenious way to honor the city’s namesake. All of the city’s water supply would be channeled to a great central fountain featuring a giant statue of Alexander, and then flow from it to the surrounding city. When Alexander seemed unimpressed, his architect explained the symbolism: Water—the life’s blood of the city—would f... Read more

“The U.S. pork industry, U.S. agriculture, indeed the entire U.S. economy needs TPA, and we need it soon.” That’s the message from one pork producer in Iowa. But it’s a message that is being amplified all across America's agricultural states. It isn’t just about a sector that recognizes the benefits of increased trade. It’s about people whose livelihoods depend on it. More than one million American jobs are tied to agriculture exports. “American family farmers depend on trade,” said the presiden... Read more

WASHINGTON —This morning, on CBS's Face the Nation, Wisconsin’s First District Congressman and House Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) spoke with Bob Schieffer about getting beyond the violence in Baltimore and getting onto fixing the issues plaguing American cities. Congressman Ryan also made the case for trade promotion authority, which is a necessary step to securing the best trade agreements possible with European and Asian nations. Video of Congressman Ryan’s interview is available ... Read more

WASHINGTON — Today, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) issued the following statement on the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) report that says the IRS has taken action to stop targeting groups based on their names and policy positions: “This report shows that only effective oversight can prevent abusive behavior like we saw in the IRS targeting scandal. We would not have known about this scandal without the work our committees have done. But our inv... Read more

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IJReview op-ed The United States is currently negotiating a historic trade agreement with eleven other countries on the Pacific Rim. It could mean more jobs, higher wages, and restored American leadership in the world. But many critics say the president has been unaccountable and the negotiations have been too secretive. That’s why the House is moving a bill I’ve written to open up the negotiations to greater scrutiny and make sure this trade deal is a fair deal for America’s workers. Our bill w... Read more

WASHINGTON — Today, Ways and Means Human Resources Subcommittee Chairman Charles Boustany (R-LA) delivered the following opening statement during a hearing on ideas to improve welfare programs to help more families find work and escape poverty. “Thank you for coming to today’s hearing on how we can improve welfare to help more families find work and escape poverty. “Before we start, I would like to welcome Congressman Bob Dold to the Subcommittee on Human Resources. He is the newest member on th... Read more

WASHINGTON — House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) released the following statement after the House passed the final agreement for the FY2016 budget. “I want to thank my colleagues, especially Chairman Price, for putting together this agreement. It would balance the budget, repeal Obamacare, fix our tax code, strengthen our national security, and allow the House to pursue the reforms we need to save Medicare. This plan would create more opportunity in our country and build a h... Read more

WASHINGTON — House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) released the following statement on the first-quarter GDP report that showed just 0.2 percent growth and a 7.2 percent drop in American exports. “Families can’t get ahead with an economy stuck in place. This report is all the more reason we need to keep making real reforms that will unleash economic activity and create new jobs, like fixing our tax code. “This report also shows that if we’re not moving ahead on trade, we’re fa... Read more