Kevin Brady Moves Forward

From the Office of the Congressman: History offers few moments like last week where a nation’s future can be changed for the better. Given a choice between President Trump with more freedom for Americans and ObamaCare with more government, I chose to stand with President Trump and freedom.

I’ve fought seven long years to repeal ObamaCare and even longer to end using taxpayer funding for abortions at Planned Parenthood. My constituents in Texas told me they were upset to watch some Republicans in Congress celebrating alongside Nancy Pelosi and former President Obama after the bill’s defeat.

The bill which I helped lead included a lifetime of Reagan-style conservative achievements, such as ending $1 trillion in harmful taxes on patients, families and local businesses; repealing over $1 trillion in federal spending; and finally stopping the government from forcing Americans to buy health care they can’t afford and don’t want.

The bill went further, though. It included the first reforms to the fastest growing entitlement in America, Medicaid. By giving states the flexibility to design Medicaid to fit the health care needs of each unique state and providing the option of a work requirement for able-bodied adults, this bill saved over $880 billion – a historic step toward financial soundness for America’s budget.

It also took the first step toward more affordable health care by restoring state control and restoring the free market so my constituents in Texas have more choices and better plans. In contrast to ObamaCare which uses taxpayer dollars to fund over 1,000 insurance plans that include abortions, this bill expanded the Hyde amendment to ensure that the individual tax credits cannot be used for this controversial procedure.

Despite President Trump’s personal engagement, the bill fell short of the 216 voted needed for passage. As a result ObamaCare continues with its damaging taxes, mandates, and too-expensive health care. It is a sinking ship and I worry that many Texans will be hurt when it goes under in the next few years.

* * *

President Trump is moving on and so are we. Sure, there will likely be a push for ‘show votes’ from Republicans who sunk the bill to fully repeal ObamaCare, repeat the reconciliation bill from 2015 or replace it entirely. But everyone knows these are doomed to failure. They all require Democratic support. Anyone truly believe that will happen?

* * *

Despite this, I am not discouraged. Now we turn our focus to the first tax reform for America in a generation. I’m proud to lead that effort in Congress and look forward to working with President Trump to deliver on this promise.

Can you imagine a tax code so fair and simple nine out of ten Americans will be able to file using a postcard system? And local businesses will enjoy the lowest tax rates in modern history so they can invest more in their workers, their business and their community.

After decades of watching America’s manufacturing jobs and companies leave for China, Mexico, Ireland and Canada, why not watch those jobs return to America because Washington no longer gives huge tax breaks to foreign products over those “Made in America”?

Can you imagine America leapfrogging from 31st in the world for competitive tax codes into the top three best places on the planet for new jobs and investment? This is exciting.

Image via Pixabay