Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush — a star of the GOP beloved by centrists and conservatives alike — took on one of the modern GOP’s most powerful voices during an appearance on Capitol Hill Friday. Bush appeared before the House Budget Committee during a hearing about the Ryan Budget. Under questioning from Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Bush said he had refused to sign Grover Norquist’s anti-tax pledge while governor of Florida. Many observers have focused on the pledge as the source of Congressional gridlock preventing the GOP from compromising on budget matters.
“I don’t believe you outsource your principles and convictions to people,” Bush said. “I respect Grover’s political involvement. He has it every right to do it, but I never signed any pledge.”
