OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2017

Floor Speech

By: Ken Buck
By: Ken Buck
Date: July 6, 2016
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Executive Branch Government Operations

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. BUCK. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment is necessary because of the serious mistakes by the IRS.

The IRS targeted political groups just because they disagreed with the groups' political beliefs, a practice that is patently un-American. But the problems with the IRS didn't just stop with the discrimination. The IRS destroyed evidence that Congress requested, by subpoena, for a congressional investigation into the discrimination issue. This action was, at the very least, incompetent and unethical.

The IRS is out of control, a problem that ultimately rests with President Obama; but the President has been unwilling to work with Congress on this issue. Because of his unwillingness to address these serious ethical violations at the Nation's tax collection service, Congress must take immediate action to eliminate the position of IRS Commissioner. The Commissioner is appointed by the President and serves at the pleasure of the President. Unfortunately, we simply cannot trust anyone that President Obama appoints in that position.

Under this amendment, the salary for the IRS Commissioner will not be restored until January 20, 2017, when the next President can appoint a commissioner the American people can trust.

Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense amendment.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. BUCK. May I inquire how much time do I have remaining, Mr. Chairman?

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. BUCK. I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Sanford).

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. BUCK. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from South Carolina.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. BUCK. Mr. Chairman, despite what my colleague from Ohio contends, this amendment comports the ruling of the United States v. Lovett, a 1946 Supreme Court case dealing with a bill of attainder. The guidelines in Lovett, this amendment singles out no individuals, but, rather, attempts to restructure the managerial level of a government agency, a task well within Congress' power of the purse. This task is necessary because the position has proven especially wasteful over the past few years, failing to rein in abuse within the agency that led to congressional investigations.

Mr. Chairman, I ask my colleagues to support this amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT


Source
arrow_upward