Looks like it’s “Tax Hike Dave” now. From the Richmond Times-Dispatch, it would appear as if Brat has opened the door for a massive tax hike on imports — but only as a “last resort” (sic):
But he’s skeptical about one aspect of the House Republican leadership’s overall tax plan — a proposal to tax imports at the border. Brat said that’s a bad idea, but if it’s the only way to pass and pay for all the other benefits that will flow from a more sane and dynamic tax code, he would probably support the border levy “as a last resort.” He’s also wary of big-spending plans promoted by some fellow Republicans, including President Trump. “I want to see the tax piece in stone before I go forward on any of the big-spending agenda.” On infrastructure improvement, he raises the essential question: “Where do you get the money to pay for it?”
Apparently your back pocket, not that this is any change in Brat’s view on taxation. After all, these are the sort of intricacies he supported as the co-author of HB3202 back in 2007 with the Virginia General Assembly… so no surprise that Brat would waffle on his consideration of taxes and fees in Washington.