Katie Porter: “I strongly support the overall Republican House rules package. It makes many badly needed and long overdue reforms in…”

“I strongly support the overall Republican House rules package. It makes many badly needed and long overdue reforms in the way this House operates. I believe those reforms will help Congress regain the confidence of the American people, something which has been lacking for far too long due to the complacency of previous Democratic congressional leaders. However, I am concerned about the provision in the package which would require a three-fifths supermajority to pass income tax rate increases. The Constitution designates seven specific instances in which a supermajority is needed for Congress to take action. Other than those seven cases, however, the Constitution clearly establishes a Congress which operates on the basis of simple majority rule. I therefore have great reservations about whether such a provision should pass constitutional muster. My vote for this change in our rules, then reluctance and while strongly supportive of the provision preventing retroactive tax increases, is made with great reservation regarding the constitutionality of the provision requiring a supermajority to pass income tax rate increases.”