Political Quotes

“I wish to introduce the Equal Access to Justice for Taxpayers Act of 1998. I am pleased that the Senator from Wisconsin, Senator Feingold, is joining me as an original sponsor of this important legislation. Like so many Americans, I was disgusted by the evidence that surfaced of so many abuses of the IRS at recent hearings by the Senate Finance Committee. I followed the hearings very closely, and I heard taxpayer after taxpayer come before the Finance Committee recounting horror stories and trying to fight against unjustified action by the IRS that cost them thousands of dollars and countless hours of emotional distress. These average taxpayers told of frustration and despair caused by rogue IRS personnel who used the awesome resources of that agency to punish them. Probably the saddest part about what we heard was that these good Americans, taxpayers, felt powerless to even question or fight back against their own Government. I believe, as many of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle do, that Congress needs to reform the IRS and stop these abuses from ever happening again. Unfortunately, current law hamstrings taxpayers who challenge the IRS. Our legislation would change that by giving taxpayers, for the first time ever, a cause of action under the existing Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA).”