February 11, 2003

Smith Gains Influence With Subcommittee Chairmanship

Will Play Key Role in Health Care and Economic Policy

Washington, DC – Today, Senator Gordon Smith announced he will serve as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Long Term Growth and Debt Reduction- the panel charged with driving economic growth policy. Smith has also been appointed to the Senate Finance Subcommittees on Health Care, International Trade, and Taxation and IRS Oversight.

"I am honored to lead the supremely important task of getting our economy up and running again," said Smith. "My goal as chairman is simple: to create an environment for increased jobs and long term prosperity."

As a member of the Health Care Subcommittee, which oversees Medicare and Medicaid, Smith will remain at the forefront of issues ranging from creating a prescription drug benefit for seniors to providing health insurance for working families. In the past, he has teamed up with Finance Committee chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) to introduce legislation helping the nation's uninsured and, more recently, worked closely with Senator Bob Graham (D-FL) to push for prescription drug coverage under Medicare.

"I'm excited and eager to work on the subcommittees that allow me to focus on issues most important to Oregonians," Smith said. "I couldn't be in a better position to help address Oregon's biggest challenges."

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