Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., is set to become a member of the Senate Finance Committee in the 117th Congress and plans to introduce legislation implementing a wealth tax on fortunes over $50 million.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced Senate Democratic committee memberships late Tuesday. All memberships have been agreed upon by the Democratic Conference and are subject to ratification by the full Senate.
“I’m very pleased to join the Finance Committee, where I’ll continue to fight on behalf of working families and press giant corporations, the wealthy, and the well-connected to finally pay their fair share in taxes,” Warren said Tuesday in a statement.
“I look forward to being a progressive voice at the table to secure meaningful relief and lasting economic security for struggling families, including as an aggressive advocate for accomplishing much of our agenda through the budget reconciliation process,” she explained.
The Senate Finance Committee has jurisdiction over taxation and revenue policy, including oversight of the Internal Revenue Service.
Reactions to the News
“I’m thrilled to welcome Senator Warren to the Finance Committee,” said incoming Senate Finance Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., in a statement. “Senator Warren has been a tireless advocate for the middle class and I look forward to working with her on a range of issues, particularly fixing our broken tax code and ensuring billionaires and mega corporations pay their fair share.”
Warren’s “wealth tax” legislation reflects her 2020 campaign proposal to impose a two cent tax on every dollar of individual wealth over $50 million, with an additional surtax on every dollar of wealth over $1 billion.