[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 139 (Wednesday, October 8, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1972]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        IRS LESSONS FROM THE INS

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                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 8, 1997

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, like millions of Americans around the 
country, I am still reeling from the Internal Revenue Service hearings 
a few weeks ago. Not all that was brought to light was very surprising. 
Anyone who has ever had to deal with the IRS knows just getting a phone 
call answered is comparable to climbing K-2.
  But when confirmation of the agency's abusive practices and 
mismanagement turned to outright disregard for the law, I was not only 
outraged, but began to see striking similarities with another very 
political Federal agency, the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
  In 1996, the Department of Justice Inspector General's Office found 
that high ranking INS officials had lied to Congress, instructed others 
to do the same and obstructed the subsequent investigation. The events 
leading to the investigation occurred during a congressional fact 
finding visit to the Krome Detention Facility in Miami.
  Several individuals were eventually disciplined, however some 
received promotions during the investigation. And while the 
disciplinary recommendations from the inspector general ranged from 
demotion and suspension to termination, to date, almost all have been 
reinstated or reassigned and not one was terminated.
  Mr. Speaker, the IRS hearings and the Krome case illustrate a 
disturbing pattern for this administration. Wrong doing is not only 
tolerated but encouraged and rewarded. The IRS now has the opportunity 
to do the right thing. Learn from the errors of another agency, put 
politics aside, identify those responsible and administer the fair hand 
of justice. This is a simple first step in restoring the confidence of 
the American people in their government.

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