[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 137 (Monday, October 6, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H8362]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      WHITE HOUSE REACTION TO IRS

  (Mr. HUTCHINSON asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. HUTCHINSON. Madam Speaker, now the whole world knows what 
American taxpayers suspected for many years: While there are many good 
employees, the IRS as an organization is running amok, abusing its 
power, targeting citizens, and acting on a daily basis to run the word 
``service'' straight out of town.
  So what is the Clinton administration's reaction to this abuse after 
it comes to light? Denounce the abuses? Promise never to use the IRS 
for political purposes again? And here is a dream, take those 
responsible for the abuse and hold them accountable? Guess again. The 
White House instinctively reacts the way it does whenever any 
government bureaucracy comes under attack. It defends the IRS.
  The IRS needs an overhaul. We should sunset the Internal Revenue Code 
and have a national debate on the direction of our tax system. It needs 
a breath of fresh air and acknowledgment that it needs to go in a new 
direction. That is what this debate would be about, if we sunset the 
Internal Revenue Code.

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