Virginia Foxx: “In closing, I am going to urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the previous question so I can amend the rule to allow…”

“In closing, I am going to urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the previous question so I can amend the rule to allow all Members of Congress the opportunity to vote on a cost-saving measure. Recently, Republican Whip Eric Cantor launched YouCut, which gives people an opportunity to vote for Federal spending they'd like to see Congress cut. Americans have cast their votes, and this week the American people want Congress to save nearly $1 billion by requiring collection of unpaid taxes from Federal employees. In 2008, the Internal Revenue Service reported that over 90,000 Federal employees were delinquent on their Federal income taxes, owing a total of $1 billion in unpaid taxes. This includes 1,151 employees who owe $7 million at the Department of Treasury which oversees the IRS. H.R. 4735, of which I am a cosponsor, would prevent persons who have seriously delinquent tax debts from being eligible for Federal employment. By requiring at a minimum that the IRS work with Federal agencies to withhold a portion of each employee's paycheck who is determined to have a ``seriously delinquent tax debt,'' we can ensure that Federal employees are paying their fair share of taxes. Failure to pay required taxes should result in disciplinary actions designed to ensure that the taxpayers are made whole. In addition to collecting back taxes already due, this reform will ensure future unpaid taxes are also collected.”