Ted Cruz: Possible Tax Reform Won't Get Done Until Next Year

Sen. Ted Cruz suggested on Friday that tax reform might not get done in 2017, the Texas conservative told CNBC.

Republicans had been united in the drumbeat of proclaiming that tax cuts, the one thing they all believe in, will get done this year — until now.

With some Republicans from highly taxed blue states scared about provisions within the framework that would end state and local tax deductions, for one, Cruz told CNBC it will take "at least a couple months" to get everyone on the same page.

"Late this year or early next year," Cruz told CNBC.

House Speaker Paul Ryan on Thursday reiterated that tax reform will get done this year — even if it means staying over Christmas break.

"We're going to keep people here until Christmas if we have to," Ryan said during a speech at the Heritage Foundation. "I don't care. We have got to get this done. I mean it's that important."

"I do think virtually every Republican wants to get to yes," Cruz said.

• Cruz, Sanders to Debate Next Week Over GOP Tax Reform Plan
• Speaker Ryan Calls for Conservative Support for Tax Reform