SUOZZI REAPPOINTED TO POWERFUL HOUSE WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE

Washington, DC - The Democratic Steering & Policy Committee announced today that Congressman Tom Suozzi (D—Long Island, Queens) has been reappointed to a coveted seat on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, the chief tax-writing panel in Congress. He returns to the seat he held during the 116th and 117th Congresses. Mr. Suozzi will serve as the only Democrat from New York on the panel.

"I am deeply honored to be reappointed to the House Committee on Ways and Means," said Suozzi, who is trained as a CPA and attorney. "This is not just an opportunity to serve my district but a chance to champion the priorities that matter most to hard-working families, particularly the urgent need to restore the SALT deduction," he continued. "I am especially grateful to my fellow New Yorker, Leader Hakeem Jeffries," said Suozzi.

In 2021, Crain's New York Business said Suozzi "earned the nickname MR. SALT for his single-minded devotion to the issue." During his prior service, in part because of his persistence, the House passed three separate Suozzi bills to restore the SALT deduction with bipartisan support. Unfortunately, the bills died in the Senate.

The Ways and Means Committee is the only Committee authorized explicitly in the U.S. Constitution of 1789 and, therefore, the oldest Committee in Congress.

The powerful Ways and Means Committee is the chief tax-writing Committee in the House of Representatives. The Committee derives a large share of its jurisdiction from Article I, Section VII of the U.S. Constitution, which declares, "All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives." The Committee's jurisdiction includes taxation, trade and tariffs, Social Security, Medicare, and other key areas of federal economic policy. Suozzi's appointment underscores his reputation as a dedicated advocate for fiscal responsibility and tax fairness.

"This appointment strengthens my ability to deliver real results for my constituents. Whether it's advocating for the restoration of the SALT deduction, promoting economic growth, or defending Social Security, I am committed to fighting for policies that uplift hard-working families and strengthen our communities," said Suozzi.

The 2017 Republican tax law that capped the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction, denying millions of homeowners their full IRS deduction on the taxes paid to their state, local, and school taxes, is set to expire at the end of 2025.

In 2017, Suozzi said, "The legislation sponsored by then President Trump and the Republican majority was a 'punch in the gut' to middle-class families throughout Long Island and Queens" and that his district was home to over 250,000 families that benefit from the SALT deduction—the most in the nation.

Suozzi has been a national spokesperson and leader of the bipartisan effort to restore the full SALT deduction, calling it an unfair burden on taxpayers who already shoulder significant state and local taxes.

Mr. Suozzi has often explained that "SALT had been a staple of the federal tax code for more than 100 years. It was one of the six original federal tax deductions when the income tax was first established in 1913. Congress realized that it was inherently unfair to penalize Americans by requiring them to pay taxes on taxes they had already paid. It's double taxation."

In April of 2021, Suozzi, together with 31 Democratic and Republican members, founded the SALT Caucus to advocate for new tax relief from Congress. Suozzi currently serves as Co-Chair of the bipartisan SALT Caucus. 

Suozzi emphasized the importance of collaboration in achieving meaningful progress: "Restoring the SALT deduction is not a partisan issue; it's about standing up for New York and America's hard-pressed homeowners. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and to rebuild a national bipartisan coalition of Governors, Mayors, County Executives, teachers, firefighters, and realtors to bring much-needed relief to taxpayers in New York and across the country."

Suozzi concluded: "I am excited about the work ahead and am committed to making a difference through this important platform."

###