Renacci tapped for Ways and Means

Rep. Jim Renacci (R-Ohio) has been tapped to fill the vacancy on the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee.

Renacci, elected to his second term in November, replaces now-Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.), who was appointed to the upper chamber late last year.

In a statement, Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp (R-Mich.) said that Renacci's private-sector experience would serve the panel well. Renacci is a certified public accountant who owned businesses in the healthcare industry.

"Congressman Renacci’s background as a small business owner means that he understands how policies written in Washington can affect the daily decisions a business makes about hiring, investing and contributing to their local economy," Camp said.

For his part, Renacci said he was ready to bring a different perspective to a panel seeking to comprehensively rewrite the tax code.

"Both Congressional Republicans and Democrats — and even President Obama — agree we must reform our massive, confusing and inefficient system of taxation," Renacci said in a statement. "I look forward to bringing my expertise to the front lines of how we can accomplish that goal."

Renacci defeated former Rep. Betty Sutton (D-Ohio) in a tough member-vs.-member match-up in November. 

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