WASHINGTON – Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, has been chosen as the new chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.
Brady was selected by the House Republican Steering Committee on Wednesday and beat Rep. Pat Tiberi, R-Ohio, for the position. He will succeed Paul Ryan, who became Speaker of the House last week. Rep. Sam Johnson, R-Texas, has been serving as acting chairman since Ryan became Speaker.
Brady has been the chairman of the committee's health subcommittee and is a big supporter of the state and local sales tax deduction.
Brady's counterpart in the Senate, Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said, "As a long serving member of the Ways and Means Committee, Kevin brings a wealth of necessary experience to write, negotiate, and ultimately make pro-growth laws that will enhance opportunities for American families and job creators. The House Ways and Means and the Senate Finance Committees have a long and storied history of working together to drive a strong economic, trade, and health policy agenda. I am pleased Kevin will now play a stronger role in leading that agenda. Kevin understands that in order to retain America's best and brightest, we must make responsible tax relief permanent so innovation can continue to thrive here at home. I look forward to continuing our tradition of collaboration with Ways and Means under Chairman Brady as we work to grow the economy and reform our broken entitlement programs so that their solvency will be guaranteed for future generations."
