Rumors are circulating that Republicans are thinking of raising income tax rates. We’ve pointed out this would be a Bush-like political and economic catastrophe. We will NOT support any bill that raises tax rates.

This would also be a betrayal to the voters.

Most current Republican House and Senate members campaigned on the famous pledge Ronald Reagan asked Grover Norquist to organize back in 1986, but some of them may need to be reminded of the exact promise they made to voters:

The modern Republican brand is largely built on this no tax promise: whatever other stupid, destructive things they might do, Republicans will not/must not raise tax rates ever.  If they do, the Pearly Gates will be forever shut on them.

One guy who gets this point is House majority leader Steve Scalise, who put out this emphatic “hell no” on tax rate hikes. Some others in key committees have been conspicuously silent.