WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) today delivered the following opening statement at a Full Committee markup of the Views and Estimates on the Fiscal Year 2020 Budget.

CLICK HERE to watch the markup.

Remarks as prepared for delivery:

“Thank you, Chairman Neal, for holding this markup today.

“And I especially want to thank the Chairman for working with us Republicans to create a consensus on this year’s View & Estimates for our Committee.

“This markup may seem like another routine box we need to say we checked off in order to function as a Committee – but the truth is that this budget is crucial to laying out the work we hope to accomplish this year.

“Our Committee’s jurisdiction covers nearly every aspect of our economy – from the tax code, to trade, to important programs like Medicare and Social Security.  

“Laying out the budget for the year allows us to be able to work together to continue growing our economy while improving workers’ and families’ lives. 

“Thanks to our new, pro-growth tax code – led by Members of this Committee – our economy is roaring back. 

“We have 3 percent growth, half-a-century low unemployment, the fastest level of wage growth in a decade, and over 7 million job openings.

“The U.S. is finally out of the sluggish days that, just a few years ago, many were saying was the new normal for our country.

“Republicans on this Committee look forward to building on this success throughout this Congress. 

“We hope that on a bipartisan basis, we can send to the President’s desk legislation focused on retirement savings, infrastructure, lowering out-of-pocket costs for drug prices, and strengthening America’s workforce.

“We’ve seen these past two years that when Washington gets out of the way, and when we instead give our local job creators and families the tools they need to succeed, folks truly are better off. 

“We know that work still remains to continue to boost American competitiveness, to make health care truly more affordable, and to boost paychecks even further for all workers across our country.  

“Passing today’s budget will allow us to begin that important work.

“Once again, I thank the Chairman for working with us to reach a consensus on this year’s Views & Estimates, and I strongly urge all my colleagues to adopt this.”