WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-3rd, has been named to serve on the House Ways and Means Committee.

The news was announced today by Ways and Means Chairman Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich.

Kelly of Butler, who will start his second term in January, said that the committee hopes to help the economy grow and increase jobs.

“We are at a critical time in our nation’s history, with historically high debt and unemployment, and a tax code and regulatory climate that are working against our nation’s recovery,” Kelly said in a statement.

“While our challenges are significant, we are uniquely positioned to present solutions that will spur economic growth and get Americans back to work.”

The committee, which is the oldest committee in the Congress, is the chief tax-writing committee in the House. Previous members of Congress from Western Pennsylvania who have served on the committee include Phil English and Melissa Hart.

Due to the demands of the committee, this will be Kelly’s only committee assignment.

He had served on the House Foreign Affairs, Oversight and Government Reform, and Education and Workforces committees during his first term.