Norquist’s Influence Unharmed by Abramoff Ties

When Grover Norquist, a longtime friend of Jack Abramoff, saw his name come up several years back in the scandal surrounding the former Republican power lobbyist, Norquist may have had reason to worry about his political future. Not anymore. The president of Americans for Tax Reform has more influence than ever, The Hill reports.

Grover Norquist

The rise of the tea party movement has added punch to Norquist’s anti-tax agenda.

Many politicos think Norquist will win out in his opposition to Republican Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn’s belief that tax increases can be part of an agreement to cut the budget deficit. And that’s notwithstanding the fact that Coburn is a deficit hawk himself.

Both House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell back Norquist’s view on that issue.