Higgins named to House of Representatives committees on ways & means, budget

Higgins appointed to health & social security subcommittees

Congressman Brian Higgins, D-NY-26, has been selected to serve on the House of Representatives committee on ways and means, the oldest committee in Congress - dating back to late 1700s. Higgins and his colleagues are tasked with the critical responsibility of directing and overseeing federal tax policies.

Higgins was also named to the House Committee on the Budget.

Federal issues that fall under the jurisdiction of the ways and means committee include: tax and trade policies; Social Security and safety-net programs; and health care, including the Affordable Care Act and Medicare. Higgins listed the new markets tax credit program, historic tax credits, the solar investment tax credit, and tax simplification for middle-class families among his priorities.

"This is a great opportunity for an expanded role in shaping economic development policies and issues that reach the heart of life quality for our seniors and working families," Higgins said. "I look forward to taking part in the ways and means committee discussion and decision-making process at this critical time for the nation and our Western New York community."

This is a return to the ways and means committee for Higgins, who previously served on the committee in 2009 and 2010.

Higgins was appointed to the subcommittees on health and social security.

Higgins will be a newcomer to the budget committee. The House rules require the committee on the budget membership includes a number of representatives serving on the committees on ways and means, appropriations and rules. Higgins will relinquish his seats on the committee on foreign affairs and the committee on homeland security.

Higgins' Western New York district borders Canada and Lake Erie and includes the cities of Buffalo and Niagara Falls.

Higgins also serves as founding member and co-chair of the National Institutes of Health caucus as well as co-chair of the revitalizing older cities task force, northern border caucus, and House cancer caucus. He is also a member of the Great Lakes task force.