the big issues that you face are refund fraud and identity theft. And these are serious, pervasive problems in the United States.

It is vital that we find a solution to our budget problem, so that the IRS can be on a path to a more stable and predictable level of funding.

I think that there are other things in the budget, like skills training, that are critically important.

Until every American who wants a job can find a job, and a job that pays a decent wage, we still have more work to do.

Now, turning to the Treasury request, Secretary Lew, most of the $13.8 billion of gross funding requests for the Treasury Department is for the IRS.

As a result of these resource reductions, the IRS's ability to meet the service needs of the taxpaying public has been severely impaired.

Congress probably exercises its most effective oversight of agencies and programs through the appropriations process.

Sanctions against North Korea have not been successful at preventing proliferation and other activities that threaten our national security.

We know that immigration reform is a driver of economic growth in this country.

And, by the way, we had a very good hearing with the Financial Sanctions Section with David Cohen, which Senator Johanns and I were involved in, and many other members, and we were very impressed with their work.

As you know, the IRS's budget has been cut substantially since fiscal year 2010, and because of sequestration, the cuts last year were the most substantial to date.

I welcome the opportunity today to conduct critical oversight of the Treasury Department and its programs.

The problem we have in North Korea is China, which--that's my sense.

we know--need to know the resources you need in order to do your very important job, and it's just--you need to let us know and be in touch with us as we move down the road and we get into these crisis situations, where we're trying to…

I think it's only with a credible threat of... coming down on folks who violate sanctions like a ton of bricks, that we can keep moving forward.

I welcome the President's efforts to impose targeted sanctions against Russia.

The Russian incursion into the Crimean region of Ukraine requires an unequivocal response that sends a clear message that Russia cannot interfere in the sovereignty of other countries.

We must continue to send a firm message to Iran that its nuclear program must end.