Ways and Means delays organizational meeting

The House Ways and Means Committee has postponed an organizational meeting scheduled for Wednesday, in the aftermath of the recent shooting spree in Arizona that left six people dead and Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and 13 others wounded. 

The committee’s chairman, Rep. Dave Camp (R-Mich.), said in a statement the postponement “will allow Congress to conduct the necessary work with respect to the tragic events in Arizona and provide the opportunity for each of us to take time to reflect and pray for the victims of this senseless act.”

Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.), the House majority leader, announced over the weekend that he was pushing back a vote over repealing the health care overhaul that had been set for Wednesday. He also urged members to return to Washington to honor victims of the shooting and to be potentially briefed by Capitol police.  

According to a statement released last week, the Ways and Means organizational meeting would have included discussion of proposed rules changes for the committee.

Camp also announced the subcommittee chairmen on Ways and Means last week: Rep. Kevin Brady of Texas at Trade; Rep. Wally Herger of California at Health; Rep. Charles Boustany of Louisiana at Oversight; Rep. Pat Tiberi of Ohio at Select Revenue Measures; Rep. Geoff Davis of Kentucky at Human Resources; and Rep. Sam Johnson of Texas at Social Security.