Kevin Patrick Brady is an American politician who served as the U.S. Representative for Texas's 8th congressional district from 1997 to 2023. A Republican, he represented a district encompassing northern Houston, including The Woodlands. Brady chaired the House Ways and Means Committee from 2015 to 2019, overseeing key legislation on tax, trade, and healthcare policy, with a particular emphasis on tax reforms and international trade agreements. His tenure in Congress spanned 26 years, during which he also served as chair of the Joint Economic Committee in the 113th Congress. Born on April 11, 1955, in Vermillion, South Dakota, he was one of five children of William F. Brady, a lawyer, and Nancy A. Brady. Tragically, his father was killed in a courtroom shooting in Rapid City, South Dakota, in 1967 when Brady was 12 years old. Raised in South Dakota, he graduated from Central High School in Rapid City in 1973 before relocating to Texas to build his political career. Throughout his career, Brady was known for his advocacy on trade deals like the USMCA and tax cuts under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. He retired from Congress after the 2022 election cycle, concluding a long public service focused on fiscal conservatism and pro-business policies. Post-Congress, he has transitioned into roles such as a senior consultant in lobbying and public policy, leveraging his extensive experience in legislative matters.