Brady Briefing: Another Major Step Forward for Pro-Growth Tax Reform

The U.S. Senate took a major step forward for tax reform and the American people early Saturday morning. For the first time in 31 years, the House and the Senate have each passed legislation that will deliver real tax relief to families and job creators and revitalize our nation’s economy after years of sluggish growth.

I applaud Senate Republicans for completing this crucial step in the process. Now it’s time to take the best of both the House and Senate passed bills, make them even stronger in a conference committee, and finalize one piece of legislation that President Trump can sign into law this year.

Make no mistake, this process is not complete, and we continue to listen, taking feedback from the American people and from our fellow colleagues in Congress as we seek to deliver more jobs, bigger paychecks and fairer taxes for all Americans.

This is our once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver on our tax reform promise. I look forward to leading the People's House in this conference committee.

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I helped lead members of Congress from the Texas and Florida delegations this past week in a discussion on critical proposals to address this summer's devastating hurricanes. Our primary goal is to meet the fundamental needs of our states and ensure individuals, small businesses and communities are provided the resources necessary to alleviate the damage and better withstand future disasters.

Let me be clear: if the next disaster supplemental fails to address those needs we will oppose.

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As many of you may know, Minute Maid Park, home of our 2017 World Series Champion Houston Astros was once an abandoned industrial site and former Brownfield project. Last week, the U.S. House passed the Brownfields Enhancement, Economic Redevelopment, and Reauthorization Act of 2017 topromote local economies, create jobs and protect the environment by redeveloping abandoned or closed spaces known as “Brownfields.”

I was proud to support this proven, results-driven program that protects the environment and spurs economic growth.

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I recently had the honor of recognizing Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) Awareness Month and the outstanding work of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA). Just 20 years ago PH patients were given less than three years to live and there were no treatment options. Today, there are 14 FDA approved treatment options for patients with this rare condition.

I’m proud of the work of the PHA, their volunteers and leadership, and I am glad to be a small part of it. My inspiration was a five-year old PH patient named Emily, the daughter of my dear friend, Jack Stibbs. Thanks to medical advancements—Emily recently graduated from Vanderbilt University and is leading an amazing life. I will continue to work with my colleagues to support the critical research efforts to improve the lives of PH patients.

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Forty very accomplished and talented young leaders from across the 8th Congressional District came together Saturday in The Woodlands to compete for a nomination to attend one of our nation's prestigious military service academies. This year’s applicants have amazing records of academic, leadership and athletic accomplishment and want to serve their country.

A highly qualified and diverse board of military and community leaders, many of whom attended a service academy themselves, conducted the interviews. Based on the young people and the parents I met Saturday, I am confident that our country's future is in great hands.