Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett By. DELEGATE PLASKETT, VIA FACEBOOK
Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett has been nominated to the powerful House Ways and Means Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives, becoming the first member of a territory to be nominated to the committee.
“It will be my honor to be the first member ever from a territory to serve on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee," said Ms. Plaskett in a release. "The Committee on Ways and Means is the oldest and most exclusive Committee in Congress and has jurisdiction over key economic policy issues like tax, trade and health care issues. Eight Presidents and eight Vice Presidents have served on Ways and Means, as have 21 Speakers of the House of Representatives, and four Justices of the Supreme Court. It’s my honor to be the voice for Virgin Islanders and all the territories on the prestigious House Committee on Ways and Means."
The release from the delegate's office also included comment from former Governor John P. de Jongh: "This is a tremendous accomplishment for our Delegate and puts her, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, at the center of decision making on financial issues that affect our country during these challenging times. Additionally, this appointment makes us aware that Delegate Plaskett is truly well-respected and held in high regard by her colleagues. To get a seat on Ways & Means is a highly sought-after and competitive placement by House members, and she was selected, which is truly is noteworthy."
"The decisions made by this committee have a profound impact on the economy, health and welfare of Virgin Island families and I plan to utilize my experience in public finance law to support the work of the Committee. I look forward to working with my fellow committee members to strengthen the retirement security system, social safety net, and critical infrastructure so many Americans rely on. Issues of rum cover over, excise tax, customs, tax incentive programs are all within Ways and Means," said Plaskett.
Ms. Plaskett thanked Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, Whip James Clyburn and the members of the Steering and Policy Committee, "for supporting Virgin Island business owners, taxpayers, and working families to ensure representation on a committee so central to the business of the 117th Congress. I look forward to working with Chairman Neal who has been a stellar leader of the Committee and is a fighter against economic inequality.”
Ms. Plaskett, who will be sworn in for a fourth term as the territory's Delegate to Congress in January, breezed to victory during the 2020 General Election, easily defeating her sole opponent, Shekema M. George with13,620 votes to Ms. George's 1,782 votes.
Corrections: Dec. 20, 2021
A previous version of this article, because of a text error, included a quote from Plaskett instead of former Governor De Jongh's. Additionally, Ms. Plaskett will be serving her fourth term in office when sworn into office in January, not third. The story has been updated to reflect the correct information.
