Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp Won’t Seek Reelection

House Ways and Means Committee chairman Dave Camp, R-Mich., has announced he will not seek reelection after his term ends this year.

Camp has been a member of the House of Representatives since 1991. He has been focusing in recent years on tax reform since taking over the chairmanship of the tax-writing committee when control of the House went to Republicans in 2010, working closely with Senate Finance Committee chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., who recently retired from the Senate to become ambassador to China. In February, Camp released a draft version of his tax reform proposals (see House Ways and Means Chairman Camp Releases Tax Reform Proposal). However, his term as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee was scheduled to end this year.

Camp announced in July 2012 that he would undergo chemotherapy treatment for non-Hodgkins lymphoma, but announced in December of that year that the treatment was successful and he is now cancer-free.

He did not cite a particular reason Monday for his decision not to seek reelection this year, but said he would redouble his efforts to fix the Tax Code.

“Today, I am announcing that I will not seek re-election to the United States House of Representatives,” Camp said in a statement Monday. “This decision was reached after much consideration and discussion with my family. Serving in Congress is the great honor of my professional life. I am deeply grateful to the people of the 4th Congressional District for placing their trust in me. Over the years, their unwavering support has been a source of strength, purpose and inspiration. During the next nine months, I will redouble my efforts to grow our economy and expand opportunity for every American by fixing our broken tax code, permanently solving physician payments for seniors, strengthening the social safety net and finding new markets for U.S. goods and services.”

Camp’s Democratic counterpart on the Ways and Means Committee, ranking member Sander Levin, D-Mich., issued a statement on Camp’s announcement. “Chairman Camp’s decision to not seek reelection to Congress is a regrettable one for this institution,” Levin said. “His devotion to public service has been unswerving, as has been his dedication to his district and the entire state of Michigan. He has brought a warm and dignified touch to his leadership. I look forward to working with him on the unfinished business before our committee as well as wishing the best to him and his family in the days after he leaves Congress.”