The U.S. House of Representatives passed six bills tonight which gives taxpayers stronger rights when dealing with government agencies like the Internal Revenue Service. One of the measures also protects consumers from prosecution for unlocking their cell phones and other wireless devices.
The package of bills is supported by U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady (R-Texas), chairman of the Joint Economic Committee.
"These bills have a simple goal -- more power to taxpayers, less power for government agencies like the IRS," said Brady, who is helping lead the congressional investigation of the IRS targeting conservative groups. "American families and businesses deserve better than a government that stifles their voices, wastes their tax dollars and abuses their constitutional rights. Enough is enough."
Included are measures by Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL) which prohibits the IRS from asking taxpayers inappropriate questions or dragging out audits past one year. The Taxpayers Right-to-Know Act by Rep. James Lankford (R-OK) requires every federal agency to provide taxpayers with an annual report card for each of its programs, including total administrative costs and staff, and the number of people who benefit from each program.
A bill sponsored by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) amends the Freedom of Information Act to eliminate loopholes that allow federal agencies to avoid compliance; another by Issa streamlines federal IT programs to stop wasting taxpayer money. And Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) sponsored legislation which will allow cell phone owners to legally "unlock" their phone so that they can use it on another network once they've satisfied their contract with their current provider.
"These common-sense bills will hold federal agencies more accountable when it comes to how they use tax dollars and how they treat taxpayers," concluded Brady.