ST. LOUIS–Missouri U.S. Rep. Jason Smith R-Salem on Monday won a contested race to become the next chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, one of the most powerful panels in Congress as Republicans continue the work of building out its leadership now that they’re in control of the Chamber and have officially elected Kevin McCarthy as House Speaker.

Smith, who passed on a chance to run in the crowded 2022 primary for the U.S. Senate, was among the first to embrace McCarthy on the House floor late Friday night as he emerged victorious on the 15th ballot. Smith had been the ranking member of the House Budget Committee but had reportedly been aiming at Ways and Means for months, raising money for and supporting congressional candidates around the country. His 8th district seat includes stretches from the corner of Southeast Missouri up into Jefferson County in the St. Louis region.

The Ways and Means Committee is the oldest in Congress and is charged with writing the tax code, among chief responsibilities, and is also involved with revenue factors dealing with Social Security and Medicare. 

In a statement, Smith said it was “deeply humbling” to be elected as Chairman. He pledged to defund the money authorized by the previous Congress to hire new IRS agents, and encouraged IRS employees to come forward as whistleblowers.

"Ways and Means Republicans will build an economy that is strong by prioritizing our most valuable economic resource, the American worker. We will build on the success of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and examine how our policies can reward working families with a tax code that delivers better jobs, higher wages, and more investment in America,” Smith said. 

The St. Louis region could have as many as three committee chairs in Congress this session, with Rep. Sam Graves R-Mo, who represents Northern Missouri including Lincoln County, expected to become Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Metro East U.S. Rep. Mike Bost R-Ill expected to head the House Committee on Veterans Affairs.