Washington, DC – Congressman Kevin Brady from Texas’s 8th district, ranking member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, announced late this week that he will retire from Congress at the conclusion of his term next year. Congressman Brady served as Chairman of the powerful tax-writing House Committee on Ways and Means in 2017 while helping to usher through President Trump’s signature tax cut package, the Tax Cuts, and Jobs Act. Congressman Brady also oversaw the passage of the Preventing Another Tax Hike Act (PATH) Act at the end of 2015, which helped maintain lower taxes on small businesses across the country. In 2015 the House of Representatives passed Congressman Brady’s Death Tax Repeal Act which was the first death tax repeal bill to pass either body of Congress in over a decade.
Congressman Brady has been an ally of AMAC and AMAC Action since his time in Congress, addressing members through town hall events and championing issues important to our members like retirement and taxation. Members of Congress have been chiming in regarding Congressman Brady’s career and retirement. Most are noting Congressman Brady’s relentless commitment to passing tax cuts. Senate Finance Committee ranking member Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) tweeted: “He worked hard on the 2017 tax bill in Congress.. some thought of it as the Brady/Trump bill.”
Congressman Brady is best known for his work to improve the tax code for seniors and small businesses, but the Congressman is equally as enthusiastic about baseball as he is about tax cuts. Around Capitol Hill, Congressman Brady is known for his love of the Houston Astros and the sport of baseball. The Texas Tribune noted: “Brady… was a fixture on the Congressional Republican baseball team. Brady left the GOP team’s final morning practice a few minutes early in 2017, missing a shooter who injured his close friend and roommate, then-House Majority Whip Steve Scalise.”
AMAC Action President Bob Carlstrom said: “During his time in Congress, Congressman Brady played a key role in protecting seniors from tax increases and then in passing the first major tax reform legislation since President Reagan in 1986. Congressman Brady’s leadership on the Ways and Means Committee helped President Trump achieve a major pillar of his administration’s policy agenda in cutting taxes on small businesses and individuals. AMAC Action applauds Congressman Brady for his commitment to lowering taxes and in particular his dedication to fighting against the death tax during his time in Congress.”
Congressman Brady’s Congressional seat will almost certainly remain in safe territory for Republicans. During last year’s Presidential election, President Trump carried Brady’s district by a 42 point margin. However, Congressman Brady’s departure from Congress does open up an interparty contest for the next potential Republican Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. Early favorites are Devin Nunes (R-CA), who would have to relinquish his intelligence committee role. Congressman Vern Buchanan (R-FL), who multiple outlets have reported, is campaigning for the job.
Stay tuned for more updates and breaking news regarding Congress from our AMAC team in Washington, DC.
Sad to see a common sense Congressman leave office. He has served his country well and you can’t blame him for leaving what is becoming a circus.