To: President Donald Trump, The United States House of Representatives, and The United States Senate
End the Norquist Pledge
End lobbyist Grover Norquist's hold on the GOP and, therefore, his influence on US economic policy. Tell your Representatives and President Obama to renounce the Grover Norquist pledge, to name every elected leader who has signed the pledge, and include the option of increased revenue in discussions regarding economic policy.
Why is this important?
Since the mid 1980s, Republican leaders and politicians at every level of government have signed a pledge organized by lobbyist Grover Norquist to refuse to raise taxes under any circumstances. This pledge gives an unelected lobbyist unprecedented power over the GOP. There is a reason Republicans only want to cut spending, but won't consider revenue increases to reduce the deficit, pay for programs that help the needy, or make our environment safer. The reason is that Norquist will fund primary candidates against any Republican who votes to raise taxes. Yet the American people re-elected President Obama and Democrats who consider tax revenue part of solving our budget deficit and our economic problems. We must end the hold Norquist has over the GOP so that every option, including tax increases, is on the table when discussing solutions to America's economic woes and the federal budget.