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(WWLP) - U.S. Rep. Richard Neal will serve as the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.

In a statement sent to 22News, the congressman said he is honored and grateful to his colleagues for trusting him with this new responsibility.

“We must use our majority on the Ways & Means Committee to advance policies that put American families first. I will continue my fight for tax policies that are fair to working families and small businesses. I will work with my colleagues to develop innovative solutions to rebuild our infrastructure needs. And as I have throughout my career, I will oppose efforts to privatize Social Security and slash Medicare and will propose new ways for Americans to save for retirement and access affordable health care. I look forward to helping lead Democrats’ efforts to increase opportunity for the American people and restore the integrity of the federal government.”

The Committee on Ways and Means is responsible for taxes, trade, health care and Social Security. This is the first time since 1871 that the Ways and Means Committee chair is a congressman from Massachusetts. 

Eight presidents and eight vice presidents have served on the Ways and Means Committee.