Rob Portman: “This is a rather unusual amendment offered by the gentleman from Vermont. It is unusual because by its own terms it says…”

“This is a rather unusual amendment offered by the gentleman from Vermont. It is unusual because by its own terms it says the IRS shall not use the funds appropriated to it under this bill to violate specific provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, ERISA and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. I hope this is unnecessary. Under current law, the Internal Revenue Service is required to interpret and enforce the law and is prohibited from acting in contravention of the law. It is also unusual in that we are in the appropriation process and this addresses tax policy. I do not see any particular harm in the amendment, I just think it is a little unusual.”