Washington, D.C. — Today, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) submitted the following remarks for the Congressional Record announcing the departure of Mathew Weidinger, Deputy Staff Director, from the Ways and Means Committee staff:

“Mr. Speaker,

“I would like to recognize a trusted advisor, a good friend, and by any standard one of the best to ever serve the House Ways and Means Committee, Mr. Mathew Weidinger.

“With all of Matt’s insight into how this Committee functions and his knowledge of its many storied traditions, it’d be easy to think he began his career under Chairman Fitzsimons when this Committee was founded in 1789, but that just goes to show how truly valuable Matt is around here. 

“For over 25 years, Matt has played an important role in the major accomplishments of this Committee. From each hearing, markup, and piece of legislation our Committee has led, Matt has been there, ready to serve and willing to go the extra mile to make sure the job not only gets done but done well. His name and reputation are nearly synonymous with the Ways and Means Committee.

“Serving five different GOP Chairmen – Archer, Thomas, Camp, Ryan, and Brady – and being an integral part of our Human Resources and Social Security Subcommittees throughout his tenure, Matt’s voice and unparalleled attention to detail has helped shepherd through laws that have directly benefited the lives of millions of children and families. From foster care and adoption, to child support, disability, and unemployment – especially the Personal Responsibility Work Opportunity Act and the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Act – it has always been about what is best for taxpayers and families.

“Most notably, Matt is our last connection to the successful 1996 welfare reforms that set consistent policies for non-citizens and led to the greatest increase in single mothers returning to work and decrease in poverty. We learned as a nation that in expecting more, more can be achieved, and we seek each day to build upon that success.

“When the Great Recession hit our nation, Matt again provided the focus on work and expectation that was needed, reforming the unemployment insurance program in ways that will improve the success of the unemployed for decades to come.

“Any Member of this Committee going back almost three decades could tell story after story about Matt’s sharp intellect, incredible recall, and dedication to serving the American people. Matt is a true patriot who could have picked a career in any field. Instead, he chose to serve. We are all so grateful for that choice.

“With the many demands from his busy schedule, Matt has never ceased being a mentor to dozens and dozens of staffers, all who today would testify that they are better at their jobs because of Matt. 

“As I was first joining this Committee, outgoing Chairman Bill Archer was singing Matt’s praises and advising me to seek his insight on welfare reform and the other myriad programs that make up our Committee’s work on Human Resources. Chairman Archer gave me good advice, and my respect and admiration for Matt has only grown throughout the years. I have turned to Matt for continued guidance and judgement as we’ve tackled historic issues like tax reform and health care. 

“On behalf of our entire Committee, I want to express my deepest gratitude to Matt. For the countless late nights and early mornings Matt spent here, I would like to especially thank Matt’s family, his wife, Jean, and his eight children JC, Andrew, Cara, Hannah, Erin, Joe, Mike, and Clare. I wish Matt and his entire family all the best as he starts the next chapter of his life. Our Committee will not be the same without Matt, but it will forever be a better place because of his service.”