Kevin Brady

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman's constituents in Virginia's District 11, with average household earnings of $136,000, with two kids, will see a tax cut of $5,008. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Barr).

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank the gentleman from Kentucky for his leadership here. Mr. Speaker, we will work together for a mutually accepted solution to make sure we exempt work colleges to use their endowments to provide tuition-free education.

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank Mr. Turner and Mr. Davis for raising this important issue. On the committee, Representatives Meehan and Lynn Jenkins led the discussion and share your sentiments. I have a keen interest in this issue. I will work with you toward a positive solution on tuition assistance in conference with the Senate.

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Meehan), one of the key members of our Tax Policy Subcommittee and a champion for working men and women.

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, under tax reform, California will grow 111,000 new jobs, and paychecks will increase by nearly $3,000. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from South Dakota (Mrs. Noem), a champion of family-owned farms and businesses.

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 15 seconds to the gentlewoman.

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Black), the chair of the Budget Committee who cleared the path for this progrowth tax reform.

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Madam Speaker, I inadvertently cut the gentleman short. I yield the gentleman an additional 2 minutes.

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Smith), chairman of the Human Resources Subcommittee and a champion for agriculture.

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 1, the bill currently under consideration.

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, today the full House begins consideration of H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, historic tax reform legislation that will revitalize our economy and provide lasting tax relief to Americans of all walks of life. Over 30 years have gone by since the last overhaul of our Nation's tax system. In that time, our Tax Code has become one of the most complicated, unfair, and uncompetitive in the world. Today it is impacting nearly every aspect of Americans' lives, and not for the better. The overwhelming complexity of today's system forces American taxpayers to spend billions of hours and billions of dollars every year just filing their taxes. Trillions of dollars in carve-outs and loopholes give favoritism to Washington special interests while hardworking Americans get nothing but frustration. With some of the highest tax rates in the world for our businesses, we are seeing good-paying American jobs and manufacturing plants move overseas one after the other. Today, with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, we change all of this. With this bill, we have an opportunity to deliver the most transformational tax overhaul in a generation. But make no mistake, this bill is not about us. It is not about Congress. This bill is about--for the first time in decades--providing the American people with a simple and fair tax system, so much so that nine out of ten Americans will be able to file using a simple postcard-style system. It is about finally rewarding hard work, growing jobs and paychecks, and allowing Americans to keep more of their hard-earned money to use on whatever is important to them. So if you are one of the millions of Americans who is sick of today's Tax Code, you are going to see a remarkable difference. You will see the standard deduction doubled, increasing to protect more of every paycheck from taxes. You will have a larger child tax credit, providing more support as you raise a family and care for your loved ones. More Americans will get help raising their kids. You will have peace of mind when it comes to life's most important investments because this bill preserves tax benefits to help you afford your home, to pay your property taxes, and put your kids through college. So if you are a typical middle-income family of four making $59,000 a year, you are going to get a tax cut of nearly $1,200. More than that, you are going to enjoy the benefits of a strong, healthy, and growing American economy. You are going to see more jobs on Main Street. With this bill, our small businesses will finally have low tax rates and a fair Tax Code that works with them as they grow and create jobs. You are going to see our larger businesses--our iconic American brands and our major manufacturers--win throughout the world and create new, good-paying jobs right here at home because, with this bill, we are going to have one of the most modern and one of the most competitive Tax Codes on the planet. That includes lowering our corporate rate from 35 to 20 percent, which beats many of our international competitors. Not only are you going to see jobs stop leaving the United States, you are going to see our Nation become a 21st century magnet for job creation and business investment. With the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the American people will see and help lead the way in launching a new era of Made in America innovation. In the end, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is a striking alternative to the broken Tax Code we have today. It represents a bold path forward that will allow us as a country to break out of the slow-growth status quo once and for all. Mr. Speaker, the American people have waited years--decades--for a fair, simple, and competitive Tax Code. Right now, in this moment, we stand on the doorstep of delivering the most sweeping tax overhaul since President Reagan's reforms in 1986. Like President Reagan back then, President Trump is now putting his full support behind this effort. Let's pass this historic bill and take another step forward in delivering bold, pro-growth, pro-family tax reform for Americans throughout this Nation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would note that the constituents in California's 13th District, a median family of four earning $107,000 will see a tax cut of $2,589. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. McKinley).

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on November 13, William M. Fly will celebrate his 100th birthday in a newly refurbished home thanks to the selfless efforts of volunteers from across the country, responding to the damages caused by Hurricane Harvey. Over the course of a century, Bill, as his friends and family know him, has traveled the country and the world, but his home has always been in the State of Texas. Following his graduation from the University of Texas in 1940, Bill joined the U.S. Army Air Force, where he served honorably as a First Lieutenant in the European Theater of the Second World War. Upon completing his time in the service, Bill and his wife, Mary Beth, moved to Houston, TX, where he began a thirty-seven year career in the oil and gas industry. Despite moving to New York City, Chicago, and St. Louis during his career, Bill and his wife of sixty-nine years returned to Texas in 1972, to settle in Harris County. Blessed with four loving daughters, eleven grandchildren, twenty-five great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren, Bill and his loving wife lived together for another forty-five years, until Mary Beth passed away on May 13th, 2017. In August of 2017, the flooding brought by Hurricane Harvey left over three feet of water in Bill's family home of over forty years, severely damaging his house and ruining irreplaceable mementos of his and Mary Beth's family. In response to this tragedy, volunteers led by former Navy SEAL, Markus Luttrell and his wife, Melanie, rallied around Bill and made it their mission to rebuild his home by his 100th birthday. Just two months after the effort began, people from across the country raised almost $90,000, $15,000 more than their original goal, to fund the recovery. Thanks to the tireless efforts of these volunteers, Bill will be able to return to his home by his birthday. As he settles into his newly refurbished home to celebrate his 100th birthday, I join Bill's family, his friends, and his community to thank the volunteers who quickly returned him to his home and wish him a happy birthday as he begins his second century of life.

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, with this budget, we have an opportunity to move forward on a major priority for the American people, which is delivering the first overhaul of America's broken Tax Code in more than three decades. When you look, today, at the way America is taxed, it doesn't take long to recognize this is completely and utterly broken. You can see that it is so complex it forces millions of families and job creators to spend billions of hours and dollars each year just filing their taxes. It is unfair. It gives wasteful Washington lobbyists loopholes and carve-outs to special interests by giving hardworking Americans nothing but frustration. You can see that our Tax Code is miserably uncompetitive. That is why more and more of our American businesses and good-paying jobs are going overseas to countries with more modern and more competitive tax systems. By passing this budget today, we can send a clear message to the American people: real tax reform is on the way. A ``no'' vote, as we heard from our Democratic colleagues, is to block tax reform and defend the status quo. We are all working closely with President Trump as he leads this charge. Together, we have bold ideas to deliver more jobs, fairer taxes, and bigger paychecks for all Americans this year. I want to thank Chairman Black and the Budget Committee for all their hard work. I want to encourage my colleagues to vote ``yes''--vote ``yes''--on tax reform, and join me in taking an important historic step forward to deliver on our tax reform promise.

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Chair, first, let me thank Chairman Black for her leadership on this remarkable budget. When I ask my constituents from Texas about their biggest concerns for their family and the Nation's future, the overwhelming response is about the debt our country faces. Washington's spending just continues to grow too fast. Our national debt has topped $20 trillion, and without action, our great country is poised for a difficult and painful fiscal reckoning. Today, with this budget, we have the opportunity to do something about it, the opportunity to tackle our Nation's fiscal challenges head-on with a strong, two-part approach. First, this budget provides real fiscal responsibility. It balances within 10 years. It preserves and improves Medicare for the long term. It returns power to our State and local governments so they can do what is best for their communities, not Washington. Now, these measures get us moving in the right direction, but fiscal accountability is only one crucial piece of the puzzle. If we want a healthier American economy for the long term, we need a growing American economy for the long term. That is why this budget by Chairwoman Black also lays the groundwork--the runway, if you will--for a once-in-a-generation pro-growth, pro-family, pro-middle class tax reform. The House and the Senate are unified with President Trump in delivering a new Tax Code for a new era of American prosperity. We have released bold ideas to deliver more jobs, fairer taxes, and bigger paychecks for the American people, especially our middle class families. We are united in getting tax reform legislation to the President's desk this year, but if we do not pass the budget, tax reform doesn't move forward. So I would like to ask all my colleagues today on both sides of the aisle: Where do you stand? Are you content with an unsustainable national debt, a slow-growth economy, and a broken pro- Washington, pro-special interest Tax Code, or do you stand in support of fiscal responsibility and pro-growth tax reform that allows all Americans to keep more of their paychecks? This is our time to show the American people we don't accept that slow-growth future. Mr. Chair, I would like to thank Chairman Black of the Budget Committee for her remarkable leadership in bringing this budget forward.

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I first want to thank Mr. Curbelo for his leadership in crafting this disaster relief package for our communities, and Chairman Shuster for his leadership on this bill as well. I rise today not only on behalf of the people in my district in Texas who have been just hammered, but on behalf of everyone in Texas, Puerto Rico, Florida, and the Virgin Islands, who have been devastated by this fall's destructive hurricanes. These are people who desperately need the support of our bill, the Disaster Tax Relief and Airport and Airway Extension Act. Hundreds of thousands of families have lost everything, even loved ones. This bill will help them begin to recover through meaningful, targeted tax relief they need now. Earlier this week, as communities continued to be decimated by record-high wind gusts, flooding, and storm surges, regrettably, my House Democratic friends opposed this critical bill, putting politics above the very people they represent. I stand here today to say we all have to do better. We have to show the Nation we can stand together in times of great tragedy to help each other and our neighbors, just as our people did in our district in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge support for this bill.

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Chair, I rise to engage the gentleman from Kentucky in a colloquy. Mr. Chairman, Chicago Bridge & Iron Company, CB&I, is a major international engineering procurement and construction firm with headquarters in The Woodlands, Texas, where I live. Their headquarters is a mere mile from my home. The company employs nearly 34,000 people across the United States, and more than 1,000 people in the Eighth Congressional District of Texas. CB&I built a world class petrochemical refinery in the Republic of Colombia for Colombia's state-owned company, valued at nearly $8 billion. A commercial dispute has arisen as a result of construction of the refinery. And in an attempt to gain leverage, entirely unfounded and unprincipled criminal charges have been filed against current and former CB&I executives, both of whom are U.S. citizens. Is it the intent of the committee, Mr. Chairman, that the Secretary of State should report to the Committee on Appropriations on any efforts by the Colombian Government to use its criminal process against any United States citizen to advance commercial or political objectives? Is it further the intent of the committee that the Department of State should engage with Colombia to examine and report on allegations by United States citizens of procedural or substantive due process of law violations relative to commercial disputes?

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, improving and strengthening Medicare for the long term is a major priority for the American people and Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle; but as we pursue this larger goal, we should not pass up opportunities to make smart, focused improvements that will help Medicare beneficiaries today. That is exactly what the Medicare Part B Improvement Act will do. I introduced this bill with Ways and Means Ranking Member Richard Neal, Health Subcommittee Chairman Pat Tiberi, and Ranking Member Sander Levin. This legislation delivers targeted, immediate reforms to make Medicare work better for the American people, and it includes solutions from roughly one dozen Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle. The Medicare Part B Improvement Act takes action on three primary goals: first, expanding access to high-quality care; second, improving efficiency in the delivery of care so that patients can better receive the care they need when they need it; and, third, easing administrative burdens on healthcare providers so they can spend less time on paperwork and more time with patients. Importantly, H.R. 3178 extends and improves Medicare home infusion services, which allow patients to receive personalized care in the comfort of their own home. This legislation also extends an ongoing Medicare pilot program, the IVIG demonstration program, that allows patients with weakened immune systems to receive care in their homes. This demonstration program carries a lot of meaning for me. I introduced it in 2012 as a direct response to the challenges facing patients with immunodeficiency diseases. As I learned from Carol Ann Demaret, a constituent and friend of mine whose son David suffered from severe combined immunodeficiency disease, life with a severely weakened immune system can be an incredible struggle. For children especially, it can be a daily fight just to survive. Allowing these vulnerable patients to receive treatment from the safety of their own home cannot only improve the quality of care, it can greatly enhance their quality of life. It can give a kid a real chance to be a kid. In addition to these important provisions, this bill contains numerous solutions that will lower healthcare costs and increase access to high-quality, coordinated care for beneficiaries. More than that, the bill is an excellent example of what we can accomplish through regular order. This legislation was approved unanimously by the Ways and Means Committee on July 13. It demonstrates how, working together, we can solve real challenges facing patients, families, and healthcare providers in our communities. I would like to thank all the Ways and Means members on both sides of the aisle who helped craft the solutions in this bill. I would also like to recognize Chairman Walden and Ranking Member Pallone of the Energy and Commerce Committee for their leadership and hard work in helping us move this bill forward. The Medicare Part B Improvement Act takes targeted action to make Medicare work better for the American people. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting its passage. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time, and I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Tiberi), chairman of the Health Subcommittee, be permitted to control the remainder of the time.

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 3178, currently under consideration.

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3178) to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve the delivery of home infusion therapy and dialysis and the application of the Stark rule under the Medicare program, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the life and faith of my friend, local Houston radio favorite, Michael ``Matt'' Patrick Ryan. Matt came to Houston after stints in New York, Indiana, and Ohio. Boy, he just became a favorite of our region, his no-nonsense but so optimistic way of informing and entertaining us as host of KTRH Morning News and his syndicated afternoon show. In September of 2015, Matt faced a new challenge--stage IV melanoma. He shared his struggle with us. Matt's battle with cancer ended last Sunday, July 9, but his inspiration is eternal. So today, as a country, we all join Matt's family--especially his best friend and wife, Paula; children, Alexandra, Alanna, and Jake; his family, friends, and listeners in ``the Sandbox''--to recognize his lifetime of service, his courage, and his absolute faith in God. We love you, Matt. You will be missed, friend.

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize the life and faith of my friend and local Houston radio favorite, Michael ``Matt'' Patrick Ryan. Convinced at a young age that he was called to a life in the radio industry, Matt Patrick began his career by spinning records at a small New York radio station. After hosting radio programs in New York, Indiana, and Ohio, his career finally brought him to the great state of Texas in 2011. Matt quickly became a favorite among his listeners with his no- nonsense way of informing and entertaining his audiences. A well-known name in Houston, Matt anchored the morning news on KTRH and hosted the syndicated Matt Patrick Show every afternoon on KPRC. For his talents in the ``theatre of the mind,'' Matt received national recognition as a two-time Radio and Television Broadcasters Hall of Fame inductee. In addition to his nearly 40-year career in radio, Matt was often a contributor on Fox 26 Houston, where he discussed politics and debated current events with local activists and public officials. Matt's straight talking attitude and strong conservative values guided him through his broadcasting career and defined him as an individual. Never shying away from fighting for his beliefs, Matt's passion and dedication to defending the constitution inspired countless listeners, known as Patrick's Patriots. In September of 2015, Matt faced a new challenge: he was diagnosed with stage IV Melanoma. True to his no-nonsense nature, Matt decided to share his struggle with his listeners, and on July 5th, his six year anniversary at KTRH, he announced that he had exhausted all standard of treatment options. Following his announcement, his co-workers and radio listeners from across Texas joined together in an outpouring of support that Matt called ``breathtaking and humbling.'' Constantly supported by his best friend and wife, Paula; his children, Lexa, Alanna, and Jake; his sisters, Maureen Shell and Colleen Ryan Neubauer; his parents, John and Marie Drummond; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Cindy Parker; and his sister- in-law, Dawn Parker; Matt's unwavering moral compass and complete faith in God served as an example to his friends, his community, and his listeners. It is my honor to join Matt's family, friends, and listeners to recognize his lifetime of service and his steadfast faith. On Sunday, July 9, Matt's battle with cancer ended. Matt's life was an inspiration to all who heard him, and he will be sorely missed.

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today, I recognize the life of a local icon: longtime Texas and Houston radio legend, Paul Berlin. Spanning nearly seven decades, Paul's career in radio began after he won a local ``So You Want to be an Announcer'' contest at the young age of 17. Although a native of Memphis, Tennessee, Paul moved to Houston when he was 19, where he officially began his radio career as a local disc jockey at KNUZ Radio. Paul's warm personality, jovial manner, and unique radio persona attracted fans from all genres of music, but his love of music went far beyond his radio appearances. As the owner of a string of nightclubs, Paul promoted concerts and dances hosted by legends such as Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Nat King Cole, across the Houston area. His passion for music eventually carried him overseas, where Paul toured U.S. military bases across Europe and brought the sounds of home to thousands of our young service members. Over the years, Paul worked with music legends such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Mary Tyler Moore, and Sonny & Cher. However, he never stopped playing the music of local Houston singers, and he is credited with starting many songwriters' careers. Before he retired in 2004, Paul went on to DJ at three other Houston stations. Six years after retiring, his love for music pulled him back into the radio business, and he returned to host a Saturday evening special at KSEV. In 1998, Paul was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and in 2002, he was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame. Paul's storied career earned him many honors, such as the American Women in Radio & TV Media's Radio Personality of the Year and Marconi Award Nominee for Major Market Personality of the Year. Paul was preceded in death by his precious wife of over sixty years, Nezzie. He is survived by five sons, Brad and his wife Patti, Glenn and his wife Sue, Bruce and his wife Dana, Craig and his wife Jamie, and Donald; nine grandchildren, Evan, Elise, Ross and his wife Melissa, Valerie, Denise and her husband Josh, Austin and his wife Cam, Paul, Carson, and Courtney; three great grandchildren, Samantha, Paige, and Tate; and many nieces and nephews. Paul's formula for happiness, ``someone to love, something to do, and something to look forward to,'' rings true today, and his love of music and dedication to his community made Houston a far happier place. On June 23, 2017, Paul passed away at the age of 86, and he will be sorely missed.

Mr. BRADY of Texas

Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I honor the 50th Anniversary of The Piney Woods Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4816 in Porter, Texas. Since the founding of Post 4816, on May 30, 1967, it has grown from a small unit of just forty members to a far-reaching organization of over three-hundred and fifty dedicated, engaged, and inspiring veterans. For fifty years, this post has been an integral part of the Porter Community. Its members have dedicated their time and resources to giving back to local veterans and the entire Porter population. Every year, their fundraising efforts allow them to contribute over $300,000 to local causes, improving the lives of everyone in their community. Among the recipients are local children's hospitals, community assistance centers, and veterans and military families in need. In an effort to encourage community involvement and civil awareness, Post 4816 has created an awards program that recognizes outstanding teachers and students who display academic excellence and patriotism. Similar awards are reserved to recognize local law enforcement officers, medical first responders, and other public servants who show a clear dedication to improving their community. Post 4816's commitment to service has gone far deeper than just public recognitions and charitable donations. By organizing hospital and home visits to sick and disabled veterans, Post 4816 has left a lasting impact on the lives of many of our community's former service members. This support system is just one way that Post 4816 embodies the mission of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. By fostering a comradery amongst the veterans of overseas conflict, serving the current service members and veterans in our community, and advocating on behalf of all United States veterans, the members of Post 4816 have completed this mission many times over. It is my honor to join our local veterans, the citizens of Porter, and the entire Eighth District of Texas to congratulate the veterans of Post 4816 on their fifty-year anniversary, to recognize their history of public service, and to thank them for their dedicated work for our veterans and our community.