[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 120 (Thursday, September 5, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H10046]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
MORE ON THE IRS
(Mr. TRAFICANT asked and was given permission to address the House
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, the IRS. Murderers, terrorists, rapists,
child abusers, even traffic violators are also innocent until proven
guilty. It had been good enough for Madison, Jefferson, Washington,
good enough for everyone except the Internal Revenue Service. The
Internal Revenue Service says taxpayers should remain guilty and have
to prove themselves innocent in tax court. And they said, Congress, if
you change the burden of proof law it will cost us billions of dollars.
Unbelievable, Congress.
Could you imagine Madison saying to Jefferson, discussing the Bill of
Rights, Tom, this is great stuff but it costs too much? Beam me up. You
want to talk about family values. The IRS, Newt Gingrich, picking on
political targets.
Congress, put this thing in order. It is time to change the law. A
taxpayer is a citizen, too. They should be innocent until proven
guilty. Bring your damn case or do not bring it right. Think about
that. I am asking Congress to change the burden of proof in a tax case
and start treating taxpayers like American citizens. I yield back the
balance of these laws.
____________________