Mike Kelly

Mike Kelly
Birthplace	Pennsylvania, United States
Nationality	American
Occupation	Template:Flatlist
Title	Chairman, Ways & Means Subcommittee on Tax
Known for	U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania
Website	[[kelly.house.gov kelly.house.gov] Official site]

Mike Kelly is an American politician and businessman serving as the U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania's congressional district. A member of the Republican Party, Kelly has represented his western Pennsylvania constituency in Congress for multiple terms and serves as Chairman of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Tax, one of the most influential positions in the U.S. House for shaping federal tax policy and trade legislation. Before entering politics, Kelly was a car dealer who operated a Chevrolet and Cadillac dealership, an experience that has shaped much of his legislative focus on small business, economic growth, and tax reform. Throughout his congressional career, Kelly has been involved in legislation relating to taxation, trade enforcement, energy policy, and support for manufacturing and agricultural communities in Pennsylvania and across the United States. His chairmanship of the tax subcommittee has placed him at the center of major fiscal debates in Congress, including discussions surrounding tariff authority, small business tax incentives, and international trade enforcement.

Career

Entry into Congress

Mike Kelly entered the U.S. House of Representatives as a Republican representing a district in western Pennsylvania. His background as a small business owner — operating a car dealership — informed much of his policy perspective and legislative priorities upon arriving in Washington, D.C. Kelly positioned himself as a pro-business, fiscally conservative member of Congress, focusing on issues including tax relief, regulatory reform, and support for the manufacturing and energy sectors that are central to Pennsylvania's economy.

Chairman of the Ways & Means Subcommittee on Tax

Kelly rose to become Chairman of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Tax, a position of considerable influence within the U.S. Congress. The Ways and Means Committee is one of the oldest and most powerful committees in the House, holding jurisdiction over taxation, tariffs, trade agreements, Social Security, Medicare, and other revenue-related matters. As chairman of the tax subcommittee, Kelly has had a direct role in crafting and advancing tax legislation.

In February 2026, Kelly and U.S. Representative Vern Buchanan (R-FL) announced growing support for the American Innovation Act, a bill designed to increase startup cost deductions for small businesses. The legislation garnered endorsements from multiple organizations and was framed as a measure to encourage entrepreneurship and economic growth. In a joint announcement, the two chairmen highlighted the momentum building behind the bill, which sought to boost tax deductions available to new businesses during their initial phase of operations.

Trade Policy and the STEEL Act

Kelly has been an active legislator on trade enforcement issues, particularly those affecting Pennsylvania's steel and manufacturing industries. On December 4, 2025, Kelly and U.S. Representative Chris Deluzio (D-PA) introduced the Strengthening Trade Enforcement and Evasion Limitations Act, commonly referred to as the STEEL Act. The bipartisan legislation was designed to address trade enforcement gaps and combat evasion of trade laws, reflecting longstanding concerns among Pennsylvania lawmakers about the impact of unfair trade practices on domestic steel production and related industries.

The introduction of the STEEL Act was notable for its bipartisan nature, with Kelly, a Republican, and Deluzio, a Democrat, co-sponsoring the measure. The legislation underscored the degree to which trade enforcement and protection of domestic manufacturing remain cross-party issues in Pennsylvania's congressional delegation. The bill targeted evasion of existing trade enforcement mechanisms and sought to strengthen the tools available to federal authorities in identifying and penalizing violations of trade law.

Tariff Policy and Presidential Authority

In February 2026, Kelly weighed in on a significant U.S. Supreme Court ruling regarding the President's authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) as it relates to tariff imposition. Kelly released a statement commenting on the Court's decision, reflecting his role as a key congressional voice on trade and tax matters.

The Supreme Court case addressed questions about the scope of executive power in imposing tariffs under emergency economic authorities, a subject of significant legal and political debate. As Chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Tax, Kelly's perspective on the ruling carried particular weight, given that the Constitution vests the power to regulate commerce and levy tariffs in the legislative branch. The ruling and Kelly's response to it reflected broader tensions between congressional authority over trade policy and the executive branch's use of emergency powers to enact tariff measures.

Support for Agriculture and Rural Communities

Kelly has also been involved in legislative efforts to support agricultural communities in Pennsylvania and nationally. In February 2026, he co-sponsored a resolution to designate February 21–28, 2026, as National FFA Week, recognizing the contributions of the National FFA Organization (formerly Future Farmers of America) and the role of farming families in American life.

In announcing his co-sponsorship, Kelly emphasized the importance of Pennsylvania's farming communities and the role of agricultural education programs in preparing young people for careers in agriculture and related fields. The resolution was part of a broader pattern of Kelly's engagement with agricultural policy issues, reflecting the rural and semi-rural character of portions of his congressional district.

Congressional Office Management

In December 2025, Kelly announced a transition in his congressional office leadership. Kevin Dawson, who had served as Kelly's Chief of Staff, departed the position, and Kelly announced the appointment of a successor. In a statement, Kelly thanked Dawson for his service and expressed confidence in the incoming chief of staff's ability to continue the office's work on behalf of constituents.

The transition in staff leadership is a routine but significant aspect of congressional operations, as the chief of staff plays a central role in managing legislative strategy, constituent services, and the day-to-day operations of a member's office. Kelly's public acknowledgment of Dawson's contributions and the announcement of a successor reflected the importance he placed on continuity and effective office management.

Legislative Priorities

Kelly's legislative record reflects several consistent themes and priorities that have defined his tenure in Congress:

Tax Policy: As Chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Tax, Kelly has been centrally involved in shaping federal tax legislation. His work on the American Innovation Act, which seeks to boost startup cost deductions for small businesses, is representative of his broader emphasis on using the tax code to encourage business formation and economic growth.

Trade Enforcement: Kelly has been a consistent advocate for strong trade enforcement, particularly as it relates to the steel industry and other manufacturing sectors. The STEEL Act, introduced in bipartisan fashion with Representative Deluzio, reflects his focus on combating trade evasion and protecting domestic industries from unfair foreign competition.

Congressional Authority over Trade: Kelly's response to the Supreme Court's ruling on tariff authority under the IEEPA reflects his engagement with questions about the proper balance between legislative and executive power in trade policy. As a senior member of the committee with jurisdiction over trade, Kelly has been attentive to the constitutional prerogatives of Congress in this area.

Agriculture: Kelly's co-sponsorship of the National FFA Week resolution and his broader engagement with agricultural policy reflect the significance of farming communities within his district and his commitment to supporting rural Pennsylvania.

Personal Life

Mike Kelly is from Pennsylvania and has deep roots in the western part of the state. Before entering Congress, he operated a car dealership, a business background that he has frequently cited in discussions of tax and regulatory policy. His experience as a small business owner has been a defining element of his public identity and legislative approach.

Kelly has represented a district that encompasses portions of western Pennsylvania, a region with a strong industrial heritage, significant agricultural activity, and communities that have been shaped by the steel industry, energy production, and manufacturing. His legislative focus on trade enforcement, tax policy, and support for farming communities reflects the economic character and concerns of his constituency.