Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives have officially named Rep. Kevin Brady to serve as the next chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means.
The Texan was selected on Wednesday by the Republican Steering Committee over fellow GOP Rep. Pat Tiberi from Ohio. The full Republican conference met Thursday morning and ratified the committee’s choice of Brady. He is the seventh Texas Republican currently serving as a committee chairman in the House.
Brady is second in seniority on the Ways and Means Committee, while Tiberi is fourth. Brady has chaired two of the committee’s key panels, the subcommittees on Health and Trade, and is the top House Republican on the Joint Economic Committee.
“It is an honor to lead this talented committee as House Republicans continue to advance Speaker Paul Ryan’s pro-growth agenda,” Brady said Thursday. “I’m ready to hit the ground running, to take real steps toward creating a tax code built for growth, reforming welfare, saving Social Security and Medicare for the long-term, restoring patient-centered health care, and expanding America’s ability to sell our products around the world.”
Brady replaces Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, who is now the Speaker of the House. Reportedly, Ryan lobbied behind the scenes in favor of Brady, though publicly the new speaker did not throw support behind either Brady or Tiberi.
Tiberi released a statement congratulating Brady following the announcement on Wednesday.
“I congratulate Kevin Brady on receiving the support of the Steering Committee to be the next chairman of the Ways and Means Committee,” said Tiberi, who is the current chair of the Subcommittee on Trade. “We share the goal of passing pro-growth legislation that provides certainty for employers and families. I will continue doing the work needed to put our country on a better path for our children and grandchildren.”
Brady complimented Tiberi in a statement published on the Texan’s website.
“I also commend my friend, Pat Tiberi, on his very competitive race,” he said. “Pat is a deeply talented and respected leader, and our committee will continue to rely on his guidance as we move our pro-growth agenda forward.”
Tiberi represents Ohio’s 12th Congressional District which includes Delaware.
The House Ways and Means Committee has served as a springboard to higher office for many of its members since its creation in 1789. According to the committee website, eight committee members have gone on to become president of the United States and another eight members have served as vice president. Twenty-one members have later served as Speaker of the House. Four future Supreme Court justices have come from the ranks of the committee membership.
