Bob Kerrey: “I want to compliment the work of the distinguished Senator from Alabama, Mr. Shelby, for securing the adoption of an…”

“I want to compliment the work of the distinguished Senator from Alabama, Mr. Shelby, for securing the adoption of an amendment in the conference to modify the composition of the National Commission on Restructuring the IRS, which was authorized in Public Law 104-52. This amendment increases to 17 the number of members of the Commission. With this change, Mr. President, I believe we can stop the logjam which we have found ourselves in and get the majority and minority leaders of both bodies and the President to make their appointments to this Commission in an expeditious manner. I would, however, like to take this opportunity to clarify two points with respect to the Commission with the distinguished subcommittee chairman, Mr. Shelby. First, by increasing the number of Commission members to 17 under section 637(b)(2) of Public Law 104-52, we intended that the number of members to constitute a quorum under section 637(b)(4), would increase from seven to nine. Is that the Senator's understanding?”