Political Quotes

“let me begin as I rise in support of this rule and this bill to commend the chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Archer], and the ranking member, the gentleman from New York [Mr. Rangel], for management of this bill, but particularly I want to commend the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Portman] and the gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Cardin] for their leadership on managing this bill as well because this legislation is such an important victory for middle class taxpayers. There is no agency in more need of reform than the Internal Revenue Service, and that is why we all stand here today in support of very important legislation, legislation that is really a long time coming, but legislation that is a big victory for the middle class. There are two very, very important changes, fundamental changes, that are included in this legislation I would like to note, and probably the most important one is the one which shifts the burden of proof off the backs of the taxpayer and on to the IRS. There is no greater complaint that I hear back home in Illinois than, when someone is audited by the IRS, they are treated as guilty until proven innocent, whereas if someone is in a criminal court, they are innocent until proven guilty. This legislation gives the taxpayers, those who play by the rules, work hard, and pay their taxes on time, the same protections with the IRS that one enjoys in the courtroom. That is a big victory for the middle class.”