The Courier - Rep. Brady Op-Ed: Setting a Dangerous Precedent

Op-Ed

By Rep. Kevin Brady

Since day one, Democrats in Congress have been rushing to impeachment. After Robert Mueller reported there was no collusion between Russia and President Trump's campaign, they immediately jumped to their next fishing expedition -- President Trump's tax returns.

The request from the Democratic Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal is an abuse of his authority. It could set a dangerous precedent that weaponizes our tax code and endangers privacy rights. If Congress has the power to access any single individuals' taxes for purely partisan reasons -- what's to stop them from coming after yours?

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Protecting infants born alive after a botched abortion is a basic human right. I support the Born-Alive Survivors Protection Act because infants who survive deserve the same medical care that any other baby would receive. Whether you are pro-choice or pro-life, Republican or Democrat, this should be an issue we all agree on.

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Last weekend, I accompanied Vice President Pence to an ICE facility in Houston and witnessed firsthand the incredible strain being placed on ICE and Border Patrol agents. They are to be commended for their incredible efforts dealing with the sheer number of migrants attempting to cross our border, overwhelming our system and stretching our facilities to the breaking point.

The crisis on our southern border is real and dire, and Texas pays the price every day. I'm forced to wonder just how bad it will have to get before my Democratic colleagues in Congress decide to take this seriously.

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It is a sad day when House Democrats turn their back on Israel. By voting down a Republican motion to condemn the dangerous Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, they failed to condemn economic war on Israel. Democratic acceptance of the growing anti-Semitism in their party is deeply troubling.

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The Ways and Means Committee has been working hard on three important, bipartisan bills to reform the IRS, develop our workforce, and make retirement programs work for all Americans.

The Taxpayer First Act of 2019 will redesign the IRS for the first time in 20 years and put taxpayers first. We have a new tax code -- it's time for a new tax collector.

The JOBS for Success Act will increase the number of qualified workers by reforming welfare programs to ensure that more people are getting a good-paying job -- and keeping it.

Finally, the SECURE Act will help families save more and save earlier for the future, ensuring folks have control over their own education and retirement savings in order to deal with whatever life throws their way.

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Looking forward, Ways and Means Republicans and Democrats are working together to lower the cost of prescription drugs in the U.S. health care system. This week, the Committee will review a package that includes provisions to ensure better reporting on drug prices, drug price increases, and drug samples. We all agree that more must be done to lower out-of-pocket costs for the American people.

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