Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) joined a growing number of congressional Republicans who have expressed their willingness to break Grover Norquist’s anti-tax pledge in order to reach a deal on the fiscal cliff, saying Monday that he’s not beholden to the pledge either.
“I’m not obligated on the pledge,” Corker said on “CBS This Morning.” “I made Tennesseans aware — I was just elected — that the only thing I’m honoring is the oath that I take when I serve — when I’m sworn in this January.”
Corker went on to argue for raising revenues paired with entitlement reform, the basis of a bill he has drafted. “There’s a menu of options on the revenue side and on the entitlement side,” Corker said. “And as long as there are two parties that are willing to solve this problem, this is a very easy thing to do technically. What it takes is political courage.”
Corker also appeared open to the idea of raising taxes on capital gains, saying, “I’m not the negotiator sitting at the table. I’m open to solving this problem.” On MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” Monday, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) shot down the idea of raising capital gains taxes as part of a deal.
