The Washington Post is reporting a that a leaked recording of anxious backroom discussion among Republican leadership around ACA reforms includes audio of Congressman Kevin Brady. The comments reportedly “confirmed by their offices” show contention between Louisiana Republican Bill Cassidy and Montgomery County’s own Brady.
The recording offer insight into how Congressman Brady may be planning to exercise his new power. It appear his emphasis will be to cut crucial tax deductions for middle class American instead of cutting the taxes themselves and the spending behind them.
According to the Washington Post –
Republicans have also discussed the idea of generating revenue for their plan by taking aim at deductions that allow most Americans to get health insurance through their employers without paying extra taxes on it. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who has drafted his own bill to reform the Affordable Care Act, said in response, “It sounds like we are going to be raising taxes on the middle class in order to pay for these new credits.”
Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Tex.), who chairs a key tax-writing subcommittee, countered, “I don’t see it that way,” adding that there is “a tax break on employer-sponsored health care and nowhere else” equal to $3.6 trillion over 10 years.
“Could you unlock just a small portion at the top to be able to give that freedom [to self-employed Americans]? That is the question,” Brady said.
