Coburn: I Could Support Tax Revenue Increase

Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., says he could support a net increase in tax revenue if it there were no hikes in tax rates, in direct opposition with Americans for Tax Reform and founder, Grover Norquist, Politico reports.

Coburn, a member of the “Gang of Six"”bipartisan group working on a deficit reduction plan, also said Sunday on “Meet the Press” he would do so even if did not include a dollar-for-dollar match in spending cuts he agreed to when he signed a 2004 pledge to Norquist’s group.

“Which pledge is most important ... the pledge to uphold your oath to the Constitution of the United States or a pledge from a special interest group who claims to speak for all American conservatives when, in fact, they really don't?” Coburn asked. “The fact is we have enormous urgent problems in front of us that have to be addressed and have to be addressed in a way that will get 60 votes in the Senate... and something that the president will sign.”

Speaking on the same show, Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., refused to say when the Gang of Six would release its plan.