The Honorable Bill Archer
The Honorable Bill Archer joined PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Senior Policy Advisor in January 2001. In this role, Mr. Archer provides strategic advice to clients on a broad range of federal policy issues affecting business, including taxation, international trade, energy, Social Security and health care. Mr. Archer also works with the firm’s international offices and global clients on a wide variety of issues facing multinational corporations.
Mr. Archer served as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1971 to 2001, representing the 7th Congressional District of Texas, a seat that previously had been held by President George Bush. From 1995 to 2001, Mr. Archer served as Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means.
During his 30 years in the Congress, Mr. Archer fought for tax cuts and a simpler Tax Code that promotes investment, savings and the ability of U.S. companies to compete in global markets. As Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, he crafted and fought for enactment of the landmark Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, the IRS Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998, the Taxpayer Bill of Rights legislation, and numerous other pro-taxpayer initiatives. He served as a Member of the Joint Committee on Taxation from 1988 to 2001, and as Chairman for three terms.
Mr. Archer is known as a champion of free trade. He was a key leader in Congressional passage of the North American Free Trade Act, legislation reauthorizing the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, and Permanent Normal Trade Relations for China. He served as Advisor to the GATT Ministerial Trade Conference in Geneva for many years.
Mr. Archer was a Member of the 1983 Greenspan Commission on Social Security Reform, and remains a leader in efforts to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security system. In the 106th Congress, he crafted legislation to create personal retirement accounts, a plan actuarially certified to ensure payment of full Social Security benefits on a permanent basis without raising taxes.
Mr. Archer has played a pivotal role in shaping U.S. policy on health issues, including legislation enacted in 1997 extending the life of the Medicare system for ten years. He worked to develop the 1996 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which included broad reforms strengthening and expanding employer-provided health insurance. Medical Savings Accounts, which Archer created to help individuals save for health care costs, have now been designated in the tax statute as “Archer Medical Savings Accounts.”
In addressing these important issues, Mr. Archer worked alongside and forged strong relationships with many key U.S. policymakers, including President Bush, Vice President Cheney and all of the leaders of the House of Representatives and Senate. He also has established relationships with leaders of many foreign countries.
Mr. Archer is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, where he received BBA and LLB Degrees with Honors. In 2001 the University created the Bill Archer Center, a new campus and fellowship program in Washington, D.C.