GOP’s rejection of higher tax rates an obstacle to debt deal

By Paul Kane and David A. Fahrenthold, WashPost, Published: November 8

The new conciliatory tone among House Republican leaders this week will soon have to confront an old Washington reality: the GOP’s deep opposition to higher tax rates.

As they begin bipartisan talks on a broad debt deal, White House and congressional leaders face a group of skeptical rank-and-file Republicans in the House who don’t view Tuesday’s Democratic victories as a reason to retreat on taxes.

“The president may think that he’s got a mandate, but so do we. The president may have won a second term, but I won a third term,” Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) said Wednesday.

Somewhat chastened by Tuesday’s defeats in the presidential and Senate races, House Republicans said they are willing to work with President Obama on a deal that would include more tax revenue.

But they continue to oppose any deal that would involve higher tax rates.

At the core of the negotiations will be how to increase revenue without raising rates.

(More here.)