<P> During the Civil War the key policy - maker in Congress was Thaddeus Stevens, as chairman of the Committee and Republican floor leader . He took charge of major legislation that funded the war effort and permanently transformed the nation's economic policies regarding tariffs, bonds, income and excise taxes, national banks, suppression of money issued by state banks, greenback currency, and western railroad land grants . Stevens was one of the major policymakers regarding Reconstruction, and obtained a House vote of impeachment against President Andrew Johnson (who was acquitted by the Senate in 1868). Hans Trefousse, his leading biographer, concludes that Stevens "was one of the most influential representatives ever to serve in Congress . (He dominated) the House with his wit, knowledge of parliamentary law, and sheer willpower, even though he was often unable to prevail ." Historiographical views of Stevens have dramatically shifted over the years, from the early 20th - century view of Stevens and the Radical Republicans as tools of big business and motivated by hatred of the white South, to the perspective of the neoabolitionists of the 1950s and afterwards, who applauded their efforts to give equal rights to the freed slaves . </P> <P> Three future presidents - James Polk, Millard Fillmore, and William McKinley - served as Committee Chairman . Before the official roles of floor leader came about in the late 19th century, the Chairman of Ways and Means was considered the Majority Leader . The Chairman is one of very few Representatives to have office space within the Capitol building itself . </P> <P> 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 . </P> <P> Until 1974, the Ways and Means Committee decided which chairmanships newly elected members of Congress would have, along with its regular financial duties . When Ways and Means chair Wilbur Mills' career ended in scandal, Congressman Phillip Burton transferred the committee's selection powers to a separate, newly created committee . </P>

Standing house committees such as the ways and means committee are important because they
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