Jason Smith: “The IRS OWES Act is about protecting the American taxpayer, those who elected us to represent them, from an IRS proven…”

“The IRS OWES Act is about protecting the American taxpayer, those who elected us to represent them, from an IRS proven incapable of best serving their interests. President Thomas Jefferson said: ``When the people fear the government, there is tyranny. When the government fears the people, there is liberty.'' Right now, the people of Missouri's Eighth District fear the IRS. They fear an unjust audit, political or religious targeting, and, most recently, they fear spending an average of 8 hours to complete their tax returns. That is simply not right. This bill is about liberating the folks of Missouri, along with all Americans, from the IRS. It is about making the IRS beholden to them and not the other way around. And it is about exerting our Article I authority of the power of the purse of Congress, making sure that unelected bureaucrats are not spending taxpayer money improperly and unwisely. A Democrat Congressman from the State of Missouri once said: ``I come from a State that raises corn and cotton, cockleburs, and Democrats. And frothy eloquence neither convinces, nor satisfies me. I'm from Missouri; you've got to show me.'' The IRS has not shown this body, they have not proven to the Missourians whom I represent, and they have not proven to the American people that they are responsible stewards of user fees. Through user fees, the IRS collects almost $500 million. It is nothing but a slush fund. Mr.…”