Question: standing house committees such as the ways and means committee are important because they

title: United States House Committee on Ways and Means
text: Because of its wide jurisdiction , Ways and Means has always been one of the most important committees with respect to impact on policy . Although it lacks the prospects for re-election help that comes with the Appropriations Committee , it is seen as a valuable post for two reasons . First , since its range is so broad , members with a wide array of policy concerns often seek positions , simply to be able to influence policy decisions . Some recent major issues that have gone through this committee include welfare reform , a Medicare prescription drug benefit , Social Security reform , George W. Bush 's tax cuts , and trade agreements including the North American Free Trade Agreement ( NAFTA ) and the Central America Free Trade Agreement ( CAFTA ) . Second , given the wide array of interests that are affected by the committee , a seat makes it very easy to collect campaign contributions . 

Answer: answer: Ways and Means has always been one of the most important committees with respect to impact on policy .
Some recent major issues that have gone through Ways and Means include welfare reform, a Medicare prescription drug benefit, Social Security reform  George W. Bush 's tax cuts, and trade agreements including the North American Free Trade Agreement and the Central America Free Trade Agreement.