U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., is set to play a major role on investigating the IRS, health-care, Social Security and Medicare as he will take over the U.S. House Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee.
U.S. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas, named Buchanan as chairman of the subcommittee on Monday. Buchanan gives up the gavel on the U.S. House Human Resources Subcommittee.
“I look forward to chairing this important watchdog panel that will monitor government’s largest federal agencies and programs,” Buchanan said on Monday. “I intend to make sure these programs are accountable and working for the people.”
Brady praised the new subcommittee chairman.
“While serving on Ways and Means, Vern has proven to be an effective, hardworking, and thoughtful leader.,” Brady said. “As the newly-selected chairman of the Oversight Subcommittee, Vern will be at the center of the House’s efforts to hold the IRS accountable and ensure the faithful execution of our laws. I appreciate his hard work and am confident he’ll continue to deliver real results for Floridians and all Americans.”
Buchanan’s office insisted the congressman would use his new perch to focus on “fighting fraud in Medicare and Social Security, making the Internal Revenue Service more responsive to ordinary citizens, safeguarding Americans from identity theft and increasing transparency in government.”
“I intend to be fair but relentless in exposing government malfeasance,” Buchanan said. “Fraud, waste and abuse will not be tolerated. Government exists to work for the people, not the other way around.”
Before being elected to Congress in 2006, Buchanan was in business and was a leader in the business community, chairing the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and the Florida Chamber of Commerce. Buchanan also sat on the board and the executive committee of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. In addition to the Ways and Means Committee, Buchanan is also on the House Budget Committee.
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