Bob Kerrey: “let me first do as the Senator from Iowa did, Senator Grassley, and compliment the intent of the distinguished Senator…”

“let me first do as the Senator from Iowa did, Senator Grassley, and compliment the intent of the distinguished Senator from Missouri. I started out exactly where the Senator from Missouri is, considering that a full-time board would be best. What I have concluded is that over time, examining what this board is going to be doing--and let nobody doubt, by the way, this board has substantial powers. This is not an advisory board. There are a number of things that we specifically say they cannot do, in order to avoid conflict of interest with procurement and with personnel and with confidentiality, but this board oversees the IRS in its administration, its management, its conduct, its direction, and its supervision of the execution and application of the IRS law. It has substantial powers in making recommendations to the President as to who the Commissioner ought to be and has the power to recommend the Commissioner ought to be terminated. I urge colleagues to look at section 1102 of the proposed legislation.”