WASHINGTON DC - IL Congressman Aaron Schock (IL-18) held a short press call from DC Tuesday afternoon wherein he answered questions about the fiscal cliff negotiations.
Schock told reporters his constitutents are very concerned about the fiscal cliff and worry about what the tax rates will be in January 2013. "Seniors are especially concerned because they live on dividend income," he said. Without settling the tax discussion before the January tax cut sunset date, federal taxes on dividends could increase substantially.
Schock was asked if he would, under any circumstances, break the pledge he made to not raise taxes. Schock said the Republican caucus has given Boehner permission to negotiate with the President, but that Boehner was not given caucus members' proxy votes. In other words, the caucus members will not commit until they hear what compromises must be made in order to come to agreement.
Will you keep your pledge to not raise taxes, Schock was asked. Would the Norquist pledge keep Republicans from negotiating with President Obama?
Boehner, Schock said, told the White House he's willing to get votes from his conference to increase revenue if the president is willing to make spending.
Again, Schock was pressed. Was he saying he would break his pledge to Grover Norquist and Americans for Tax Reform? Schock reinterated, "We can raise revenue with tax reform," he said.
What's your interpretation of Schock's reply?
