U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady of Texas may never have intended on representing Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives, but has always had a passion to serve and give back to the community. Service is a trait instilled in him by his mother.
"[My mother] taught us to be independent, optimistic, to have faith in God and to give back to the community in which we live," Brady said. "She had us involved up to our ears in the church, Boy Scouts, sports, school clubs—she kept us busy. My mom is a remarkable woman and everything I am I owe to her."
Brady's desire to serve his community dates back to his days as a Chamber of Commerce executive in The Woodlands, a job he held for 18 years. It continued when he was elected to the Texas House of Representatives where he served for six years. Since 1997, he has served as the U.S. representative for the 8th Congressional District of Texas, which includes all of Montgomery, Walker, Houston, San Jacinto, Trinity, Grimes, Madison and parts of Leon and Harris counties.
"I never intended to serve in Congress," Brady said. "I loved my job running the Chamber of Commerce in The Woodlands area and had decided to serve one more term in the Texas House of Representatives when then-Congressman Jack Fields announced his retirement. Since creating jobs and helping small businesses was my career, I believed I could help improve the U.S. economy and continue serving families and communities in Congress."
Brady chairs the Joint Economic Committee and the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health. He has helped pass legislation that has cut taxes and also helped pass key trade agreements.
What are some pieces of legislation you are working on that will directly have an effect on your constituents?
Stopping President Obama's tax increases on families and businesses—especially on our Texas energy businesses—is almost a full-time job. Leading the Joint Economic Committee, I've been pushing for getting Washington out of the way so this disappointing recovery can pick up steam. The Texas economy is strong, but a lot of the country is still struggling through the weakest recovery in half a century.
What can be done on a federal level to get money to the state to help fund local transportation projects?
The way Washington funds our highways is outdated and inefficient. Too much of the taxes you and I pay at the gas pump [are] diverted to non-roadway projects. Lengthy delays and higher costs from slow federal permitting are all too common. And roadway programs don't coordinate with our rail, waterway, ports and air infrastructure. Unfortunately, I don't see the current Senate adopting the real reforms that are long overdue, so we probably won't see a long-term solution any time soon. While I'd like to see Washington allow the states to recapture their gas tax money and keep [our funds] here in Texas, my guess is that most progress on roadway funding will occur at the state level for now.
What is the role of the federal government when it comes to local transportation projects and funding?
Texans pay 38.4 cents in taxes per gallon of gas at the pump. Twenty cents stays here in Texas and 18.4 [cents] goes to Washington. The federal government uses a formula and grants to return dollars to the state. Until recently, when Washington started using general revenue to plug the hole in the highway trust fund, Texas was a "donor state," which meant we got back less than we sent in.
The Greater Houston area is experiencing record job and economic growth at a faster pace than most of the country. What is Houston, and more specifically District 8, doing right that the rest of the country is not?
The Texas model is pretty simple: low taxes, balanced regulation, free trade and a business friendly right-to-work environment. Washington is just the opposite: the highest business taxes in the world, the most burdensome years of new regulation in America's history, higher health care costs due to the Affordable Care Act and deficits that threaten our long-term economic growth. Texas was the first state to recover all its jobs lost during the recession. It took the rest of the country six years. The President is determined to 'stay the course' economically so Texas will likely continue to outpace the rest of the nation.
Without repealing the Affordable Care Act, what changes do you think should be made?
Repealing the law and replacing it with affordable, patient-centered health care is still my goal. Until then, delaying or ending the mandate that forces families to buy government-approved health care they don't want, don't need and can't afford is the highest priority. Ending the mandate on local businesses is another top priority because it's already forcing companies to cut hours, cut jobs and put their hiring on hold. This law is all wrong. It doesn't make health care more affordable—it just shifts who pays for it. In the end, we'll never be able to afford it.
What can the federal government do to ensure the success of business in America?
Get out of the way. Create the best business climate on the planet by fixing the broken tax code. Rein in the IRS and excessive federal regulation. Encourage more American-made energy and allow us to sell it globally. Pass free trade agreements that allow Texas and American companies to compete and win customers around the world and encourage innovation.
America used to lead the world in research and development. Now we rank 27th in tax incentives. The House recently passed my bill to modernize and make permanent the Research & Development tax credit. Experts predict it will create 300,000 new U.S. jobs, raise workers' wages by over $10 billion and increase research in the U.S. by a significant 10 percent. The Senate should act now to do the same.
What are the biggest concerns facing future generations of Americans?
The federal government is living beyond its means, and that debt will have a huge impact on our children and grandchildren. They will face a more sluggish economy, fewer jobs, higher taxes and higher interest rates. It's wrong that they won't have the same opportunity to live a better life than their parents did. We can't let that happen.
Too many people in Washington believe "government made America great and more government can make America great again." I don't. I have more faith in the American people than in Washington to know what's right for them and how to spend their own money. I want a lean, efficient government that works for families rather than against them, that rewards hard work and innovation, and that honors success rather than blames those who achieve it.
