Rep. Brady: I will make my case for Ways and Means gavel

A senior Republican lawmaker believes he can make a case for taking the top-ranking GOP position on the House Ways and Means Committee over Rep. Paul Ryan.

Asked if he could defeat conventional favorite Ryan, Texas Rep. Kevin Brady (R) told The Hill that he will “make [his] best case” to the 30-something secretive GOP Steering Committee after the mid-term elections in November.

{mosads}Brady, the third-most senior member on the tax-writing panel with more seniority than his wonky Wisconsin colleague, is chairman of the Ways and Means subcommittee on health.

While Ryan now serves as Budget Committee chairman, Brady heads the Joint Economic Committee and has the likely support of the Texas GOP delegation to succeed outgoing Ways and Means Committee Chairman. Dave Camp (R-Mich.).

Brady considers Ryan a “good friend and terrific leader,” but the Texas lawmaker is prepared to fight for a highly coveted gavel should his party retain control of the House.