Kevin Brady: Everyone Following Russia Probe 'Deserves a Tax Cut'

House Ways and Means Committee chairman Kevin Brady Friday made a quick pivot away from a CNN question about the news that President Donald Trump campaign worker George Papadopoulos had pitched a meeting between the then-candidate and Russian President Vladimir Putin, making it clear he was on the program to talk taxes.

"Everyone following this Russian investigation deserves a tax cut," the Texas Republican told CNN "New Day" co-host Alisyn Camerota, prompting her to give him an "A for pivoting."

House Republicans unveiled their extensive Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on Thursday, and Brady told CNN it will grow the economy by reducing taxes for American families and simplifying the tax code.

"There are other interests and other issues," he said. "I will tell you in our community, our Main Street local businesses, they are starved for tax reform."

Meanwhile, the tax plan has restored state and local property tax deductions, following protests from lawmakers from high-tax states, as those taxes are the "most painful" for most people, regardless of age, said Brady.

"It's not based on your ability to pay," he said. "It just hurts. Whether you're a young family or a senior family where you've paid off the mortgage and the property tax is killing you. Again, imposed by those local governments, we want to provide help for you."

There is also a provision in the bill that removes deductions for mortgages of over $500,000, which has been protested by the National Association of Homebuilders, who fear the measure will drive house values down.

"I don't believe that and here's why," said Brady. "People don't take out a mortgage for the entire value of the house. Hopefully they're not anymore. That was a problem in the last crisis. Everyone keeps their mortgage deduction up to a million dollars, today so nothing changes here."

Further, he said, home values and sales increase as an economy grows, and goes south when the economy declines.

"When we go bold like we do to get people back to work, create jobs and create growth, that is good for homeowners," said Brady. "It's good for home builders. By the way, it's good for home values."

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