Barbara Mikulski: “I rise to support the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act conference report that is before us today. I…”

“I rise to support the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act conference report that is before us today. I supported the Senate bill in May and, although this report has unrelated items that should be debated on their own merits, I will support this conference report because it will change the culture of the IRS by focusing on customer service. This new culture will improve the way the IRS interacts with individual taxpayers, IRS employees, and tax-exempt groups. As we know from our constituents, the IRS has engaged in some horrible management practices. It has been rightfully described as an agency out of control. I am particularly furious about the documented harassment of taxpayers. In my state of Maryland, I have heard from many Veterans groups across the state and a volunteer fire company in Western Maryland about harassment at the hands of the IRS. Let me give you some examples. The Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion Posts in my state have been systematically audited over the past five to six years because they sell drinks and food to members' guests. The Veterans groups tell me that their sign-in book was confiscated, people were subpoenaed, and IRS agents threatened to lock them up. Amazingly, the American Legion was told by the IRS that they could not hire an attorney or a CPA out of Post funds to help them with the audits!”