Buchanan joins Ways & Means

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, was named to the House Ways and Means Committee yesterday. The congressman will soon join a group that influences tax policy, health care, Social Security and international trade, a release said.

“I will work on the Committee to advance a pro-growth, pro-jobs agenda that will help put people back to work,” Buchanan said in a statement. “That includes keeping taxes low, reducing overly burdensome regulations and controlling spending to reduce the deficit.”

He added: “It also means the ratification of free trade agreements, including the free trade agreement with Panama, which will increase the impact of Port Manatee on our local economy.”