Norquist: Fiscal deal doesn't violate pledge
Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist says technically lawmakers didn't violate their anti-tax pledge by voting in favor of the fiscal cliff deal, which increases tax cuts on households earning more than $450,000 annually.
He argues that because the Bush tax cuts expired the day before the vote, legislators were essentially cutting taxes by supporting the new bill that passed in the Senate and House on January 1.
“It’s technically not a violation of the pledge, but I understand why a lot of Republicans had said, look, even though what’s happening is the tax cuts disappear and we’re restoring them for most people, so we’re not raising taxes. We’re actually cutting taxes,” Norquist told Anderson Cooper.
“They need to be able to say with a straight face they fought to protect those tax cuts for everyone and all the Republicans in the House have done that more than once, and that they’re fighting to oppose any and all tax increases, period.”
 |
Post by: Anderson Cooper Filed under: Congress • Economy • Fiscal Cliff • Taxes |
About this Show:
Anderson Cooper goes beyond the headlines to tell stories from many points of view, so you can make up your own mind about the news. Tune in weeknights at 8 and 10 ET on CNN.
Questions or comments? Send an email
Want to know more? Go behind the scenes with AC361°
Subscribe to the podcast
On Twitter
Search the AC360 blog
After watching Ashley interview State Senator Glenn Grothman about Kwanzaa, I was thoroughly disgusted by her lack of respect for the kind, patient, intelligent Senator. Ashley should be let go, and until then I refuse to watch CNN.
How much of the current deficit is due to the costs of war since sept 11? How does that figure compare to the cost of the safety net for our most vulnerable citizens, including children?
How is the fiscal cliff bill not in violation of the Constitution, Article 1, Section 7?
Sure it doesn't – my middle class tax break cost me 2% of my income. Obama fooled us. Where does he think the middle class gets their income – dividends? Its payroll so the Amreican Middle Class got duped