More in GOP Reject Norquist’s No-Tax Pledge

Posted on Jul 6, 2012

Gage Skidmore (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Grover Norquist.

Rep. Scott Rigell, breaking ranks with establishment Republicans, has criticized the Taxpayer Protection Pledge of anti-tax hound Grover Norquist. Legislators who sign the document promise not to back a tax increase under any circumstances.

Rigell and other dissenting Republicans appear to believe that tax increases must be an option for solving budget problems.

—Posted by Alexander Reed Kelly

The Huffington Post:

“My advice and counsel to ‘Young Guns’ would be to not sign the Americans for Tax Reform pledge,” the Virginia Republican told The Huffington Post. The anti-tax oath authored by conservative activist Norquist had, until recently, been signed by almost every Republican in Congress or aspirant.

This election season is different. Rigell is one of dozens of GOP challengers and incumbents who have declined, so far, to take the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. Their objections range from personal to political. But underneath is the belief that being locked into a pledge to never support new revenues in a debt-reduction deal is unpalatable.

Read more

More Below the Ad

New and Improved Comments

If you have trouble leaving a comment, review this help page. Still having problems? Let us know. If you find yourself moderated, take a moment to review our comment policy.