Xavier Becerra: “The original purpose behind H.R. 1528 was good. When we take a look at the title, the Taxpayer Protection and IRS…”

“The original purpose behind H.R. 1528 was good. When we take a look at the title, the Taxpayer Protection and IRS Accountability Act of 2003 and we take a look at the provisions that relate to protections for our taxpayers and accountability for the IRS, it is good. In fact, it was bipartisan. There was full agreement on both sides of the aisle that these were measures that would help American taxpayers file their returns, do it right, and get back the money they deserve. But what has happened to the bill, now that it is on the floor, is that it is no longer just a bill about taxpayer protections and IRS accountability. Somehow, in a bill that is supposed to relate to taxpayer protection and IRS accountability, there is a provision that has been put in here that has nothing to do with any of those things, and that is what Members on this side of the aisle keep talking about; a provision that deals with health care. Not just any kind of health care; it is health care for working Americans who have lost their jobs as a result of trade adjustments that have occurred that have made them lose their jobs, in other words, companies that have left America to go elsewhere to do their production and American workers who are now out of work. Out of work means likely out of health care. Out of health care is something that no American wants to be without.”