Taxes have returned to their traditional place of prominence in policy circles, with leading presidential candidates proposing both sweeping reforms and incremental changes. What role will tax policy play in the coming election? Can Congress act on important tax initiatives this year? Are we setting the stage for major reform in 2017? What are the implications for the economy and the American people?  

To address these issues, the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center will host House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX)  and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, and convene panels of leading economists and journalists.   

After each session, speakers will take questions from the audience.

Click here to register for the webcast and remember to join the conversation via Twitter at #TaxPolicy2016.

PROGRAM

Opening Remarks (8:45a.m.–9:00a.m.) 

• Leonard Burman, Robert C. Pozen director, Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center

Panel 1: Views from the Economics Profession (9:00a.m.–10:00a.m.)

• Alex Brill, resident fellow, American Enterprise Institute
• Jared Bernstein, senior fellow, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
• Heather Boushey, executive director and chief economist, Washington Center for Equitable Growth
• G. William Hoadland, senior vice president, Bipartisan Policy Center
• Moderator: Ruth Marcus, columnist, The Washington Post

Keynote Address (10:00a.m.–10:40a.m.)

• Representative Kevin Brady (R-TX), chairman, House Ways and Means Committee
• Moderator: David Wessel, senior fellow and director, Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy 

Panel 2: Views from the Media (10:40a.m.–11:40a.m.)

• Catherine Rampell, opinion columnist, The Washington Post
• Jeanne Sahadi, senior writer, CNNMoney
• Bernie Becker, tax reporter, Politico
• Moderator: Howard Gleckman, senior fellow, Urban Institute 

Keynote Address (11:40a.m.–12:20p.m.)

• Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), ranking member, Senate Finance Committee
• Moderator: Leonard Burman, Robert C. Pozen director, Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center