Brady was born in Vermillion, South Dakota, and he graduated from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. Brady moved to Texas after graduating from college. He was elected to the Texas House of Representatives as a Republican in 1990. Congressman Jack Fields chose not to run for re-election in 1996 and Brady ran for his seat in the U.S. House, District 8 (map). Brady faced fellow Republican Eugene Fontenot four times in 1996. Fontenot led Brady in the primary in March, but Brady won the runoff election in April. Brady has won reelection four times without serious opposition and serves as a deputy majority whip.

As a Congressman, Brady has advocated victims' rights and called for the abolition of the IRS. Recently, Brady acted as the point man for President Bush to steer the Central America Free Trade Agreement through the House. However, he is best known for supporting a federal "sunset" law that would require every federal program to justify its existence to taxpayers or face elimination. He has introduced this bill at the beginning of every Congress, though it has never made it out of committee.

On October 7, 2005 Brady was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol while in South Dakota. He faced a fine of up to $1,000 and a year in jail. He pleaded no contest. Upon his misdemeanor conviction on November 8, he was fined $350, and his right to drive in South Dakota was suspended for 30 days. Before his sentencing, Brady had stated that "no one is above the law" and he would accept "every consequence" of his actions, even if that meant a jail sentence. "To me, regardless of how this turns out, what it says is that you don't get behind the wheel." Conroe (Texas) Courier.