Chuck Grassley

I am concerned by your lack of Federal court experience.

Hostility towards criticism and the politicization of the judiciary by legislatures.

The IRS is currently in the midst of a historic enforcement action against offshore tax evasion and the Justice Department is playing a key role.

I have serious doubts that the IRS effectively utilized the information provided to it by a UBS whistleblower.

Would you agree to promote a close working relationship between qui tam relators' counsels and the Justice Department?

I think your statement is to assure us that you would investigate these individuals independently and impartially, despite your previous subordinate interaction with them.

Today marks the 19th nomination hearing held in this Committee this year, and we will have heard from 71 judicial nominees.

That's not my belief.

I have been concerned for many years about the revolving door at the Securities and Exchange Commission.

I authored changes to those provisions in 2006. The changes were made to incentivize whistleblowing on big dollar tax fraud.

We have confirmed 53 judicial nominees this year, making this session of Congress one of the most productive over the last 30 years.

I would care deeply about anything that dealt with retaliation against whisteblowers.

So based on that, do you understand how it interferes with our Congressional inquiry to provide evidence like this directly to the very office we're investigating?

Obviously our whole community feels terrible about the death of the 5-year-old girl, and those of us who were close to this case are losing sleep over it, wondering where did we go wrong and what would we do differently next time.

Has this case been appealed?

Today's hearing is the 17th nominations hearing held during this Congress, meaning during this year.

As Inspector General, would you vigorously police enforcement of the False Claims Act?

I think I'm going to just ask one question, but it's kind of a long question.

What steps would you take, if confirmed, to ensure better cooperation and coordination with parallel Congressional investigations?

The fundamental requirement of this office and other Inspectors General is independence.

I believe three branches of government.

Let me say, parenthetically, here that that is specifically what the organization said that they--that they put the money offshore to avoid taxes.

Information from whistleblowers should result in easy money for the IRS, which is really easy money then for the Federal Government.

Confirmation for lifetime appointments simply should not be rushed through the process.

Congress needs to deal with that. And if Congress has to deal with it, it would seem to me you can not deal with it through administrative action.