WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) today delivered the following opening statement at a Committee hearing on the President’s Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Proposals with U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin.

CLICK HERE to watch today’s hearing.

Remarks as prepared for delivery:

“Good afternoon and thank you all for joining us. Today our Committee is honored to welcome Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to testify on President Trump’s fiscal year 2018 budget proposals for the Treasury Department. Secretary Mnuchin, we are grateful for your time and we thank you for your testimony.

“As Members of this Committee know, our annual hearing with the Treasury Secretary on the President’s budget plays an incredibly important role in our work.  

“Today’s conversation will help set the stage for collaboration between Congress, the White House, and the Treasury Department.

“Today’s conversation will help us identify and advance efforts to grow our economy, create jobs, and increase Americans’ paychecks.

“And, today’s conversation will help encourage a constructive, open dialogue focused on addressing the challenges facing our businesses and workers, our communities, and our country as a whole.  

“Reading through President Trump’s FY 2018 Budget Proposals, it’s a welcome change to see that his budget—unlike the Obama budgets of the past eight years—balances in the next decade.  

“The President’s proposals take much-needed action to grow our economy, create jobs, and help more Americans move from welfare to work. We’re also pleased to have President Trump’s leadership on tax reform. 

“Secretary Mnuchin—as you are aware, pro-growth tax reform is a top priority for our Committee. In the past six days, we’ve held two full committee hearings on tax reform. We’ve heard from American businesses large and small that they are eager for a simpler, fairer, and more competitive tax code. They want to hire more workers. They want to increase paychecks. They want to invest in the future of this great country. 

“Today, we are eager to hear more about the President’s proposals to create jobs, grow paychecks, and strengthen our economy for the long term.

“America faces a number of significant policy challenges with a broken tax code, an unsustainable national debt, and an economy that’s performing well below its potential.  

“These challenges do not impact only red states or blue states—they impact American workers and families in all states. And they impact the constituents of every member of this committee—no matter if you’re a Republican or Democrat.  

“We are committed to working with President Trump and with you, Secretary Mnuchin, to solve them.  

“Again, we’re grateful for your time today and we look forward to hearing your testimony.

“With that, I’ll now recognize Ranking Member Neal for his opening remarks.”