[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 130 (Thursday, September 25, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1863]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          IRS ABUSES MUST STOP

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. RON PACKARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 25, 1997

  Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, I am appalled by the severity of abuses by 
agents of the Internal Revenue Service toward American taxpayers. The 
discovery of these abuses on American taxpayers proves, once and for 
all, that we need to shut down the intrusive IRS.
  Yesterday I joined Congressman Bill Paxon, Joe Scaborough, and 
Senator Sam Brownback in calling for the end of the IRS because it has 
become too large and burdensome on the American taxpayer. Extensive 
abuses are being overlooked and the high standards that are expected 
from this Government agency are routinely not being met.
  Yesterday, the Senate Finance Committee kicked off 3 days of hearings 
investigating IRS practices and procedures. Two witnesses that 
testified were taxpayers from California who vividly described their 
nightmare involvement with the IRS. They characterized their dealings 
with the IRS as abusive, terrifying, manipulative, and intimidating. 
Other panelists, including two former IRS employees that worked in 
California district offices, described the pressures that they were 
under from superiors to harass taxpayers and extort taxes and fines.
  These hearings continue to expose the abuses leveled against average 
Americans by the IRS. Taxpayers do not want a Government that will 
harass and obstruct them. American taxpayers deserve a Government that 
will serve them. These hearings have illustrated that the IRS is too 
burdensome on the American people. It is crucial that we take this 
power out of the hands of the Washington bureaucrats and send it back 
to the taxpayer, where it belongs.
  Mr. Speaker, the American people will not be satisfied until the IRS 
is dismantled and disarmed. I urge my colleagues to examine the reports 
of IRS abuse and take action. It is not unreasonable for citizens to 
demand a Government that is respectful of the people it serves.

                          ____________________