Ben Cardin: “I expect and hope that it will receive unanimous support in this body. Mr. Speaker, let me point out that the IRS has…”

“I expect and hope that it will receive unanimous support in this body. Mr. Speaker, let me point out that the IRS has made tremendous progress over the last several years, thanks in large measure to the attention of this body and the leadership of Commissioner Rossotti in leading the IRS. They have made a lot of progress. But as this legislation points out, there is still more progress that we need to make collectively, in partnership, between the IRS and the legislative branch of government. The IRS has conceded the point in this bill, but the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Ramstad) is correct, it is important that we pass this legislation because it is our responsibility to clarify the law. If there is any ambiguity on this point, we should speak very clearly for the taxpayer, because the taxpayer is correct in this situation, understanding that the IRS is responsible to interpret our laws.”