Kyl: GOP already agreed to some revenue raisers in debt talks

Senate Republican Whip Jon Kyl (Ariz.) said Wednesday that Republican negotiators have agreed to boost government revenues by $153 billion to $200 billion as part of a deficit reduction deal.

But Kyl said GOP negotiators have not agreed that any of it should come from increasing taxes or closing special tax breaks.

“This has nothing to do with taxes. These are things like fee increases and results of sales,” said Kyl. “It’s actually between $153 billion and a little over $200 billion in what should be characterized as revenues. They are receipts to the federal government.”

The receipts could come from the sale of federal properties, for example. Kyl declined to discuss any specific details.

“We’re not opposed to revenues. In fact we want a tax code that generates huge new revenues through economic growth,” said Kyl.

Kyl has said many times that tax increases should not be part of a deal to raise the debt limit.