Senator Dan Coats (R-Ind.) Thursday was named chairman-designate of the bicameral, bipartisan Joint Economic Committee (JEC) for the 114th Congress during a meeting of Senate Republicans. His selection will be ratified by a vote of the full Joint Economic Committee once the House of Representatives completes its roster of committee members.
“It is an honor to be named chairman of the Joint Economic Committee,” said Coats. “The top three agenda items of my chairmanship will be jobs, jobs and jobs. Right now, too many hard-working families are being squeezed by stagnant wages and an increasing cost of living. In the 114th Congress, Washington needs focus more on building an economic climate that encourages job creation and expands opportunity for all workers. My goal for the JEC is to highlight and advance pro-growth policies that benefit American families.”
The Joint Economic Committee is a bicameral committee composed of ten members from both the Senate and House of Representatives. In total, there are eight Democrats and twelve Republicans on the committee. The JEC was established by the Employment Act of 1946 (Public Law 304) for the purpose of studying of matters related to the U.S. economy. The JEC holds hearings, produces research and advises members of Congress.
In addition to chairing the Joint Economic Committee, Coats is a member of the Senate Finance Committee and Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.
