Pasadena Congresswoman Appointed to U.S. House Budget Committee

The House Budget Committee announced on Thursday that Rep. Judy Chu (D-Pasadena) has been named to fill one of the five seats reserved for members of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.

The committee is the chief tax-writing committee in the House, with jurisdiction over all taxation, tariffs, and other revenue-raising measures, as well as a number of other programs including Social Security, Medicare and unemployment insurance.

“I am honored to be serving as a member of the House Budget Committee. The US budget is a reflection of our values,” Chu said in a prepared statement.

Chu said she is committed to ensuring spending prioritizes workers and families, not just corporations and the wealthiest few.

“Serving on the Budget Committee is particularly important at this moment. As our country struggles through an historic pandemic and recession, I will fight for a federal budget that meets the needs of underserved communities, closes the inequality gaps in healthcare and opportunity, and puts our whole country on the path to recovery,” Chu said.

Chu said without Republican support the only path to securing the COVID-19 relief will be through the budget reconciliation process, which the Ways and Means Committee leads.

Budget reconciliation expedites procedures and allows for certain types of legislation to advance by simple majority. Under Budget reconciliation, the Democrats – which hold a majority in the Senate – would not need Republican votes to pass a relief bill.

“I am eager to get to work on this new committee, in conjunction with my existing roles with the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Small Business Committee, to help our country get back on our feet.” Chu said.