[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 114 (Friday, August 2, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1231]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IRS EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF 2013

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                        HON. STEPHEN LEE FINCHER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 2, 2013

  Mr. FINCHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss my bill, the IRS 
Employee Responsibility Act of 2013, which requires IRS employees who 
violate the law to be personally responsible for their own legal fees 
and personally responsible for any legal judgment awarded. The hard-
working American taxpayer should not be responsible for the cost of 
defending IRS employees who break the law and are shouldn't be 
responsible for any legal judgment awarded in a civil suit.
  My legislation simply requires IRS employees to take responsibility 
for their actions in the same manner any private employee has to when 
they are sued in civil court.
  Mr. Speaker, despite what the President has said, the targeting of 
conservative organizations for extra scrutiny is a real scandal and is 
simply reprehensible. The thin line of trust between the individual and 
their government has been broken and we must work to rebuild it. I am 
strongly urging Congress to continue its investigation into the IRS and 
to make sure those responsibly are held accountable to the fullest 
extent of the law. I am also joining other Members of Congress calling 
on Treasury Secretary Jack Lew to investigate the actions of the IRS. I 
am committed to making sure the IRS is never again used as a political 
weapon against any group, conservative or otherwise and my bill will 
ensure that if any employees violate the law they are personally 
responsible for their own legal fees and any judgment.
  It is unfortunate that we have seen very little action from the 
Administration to punish these employees with at least one on paid 
leave. This body must Act to ensure this never happens again.
  Simply put, I believe when IRS employees are on the hook for their 
actions and know there are real consequences, they make better 
decisions. As a farmer and owner of a business, I am responsible for my 
own actions and work to ensure I am following the law. It's time the 
IRS does the same.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues in the House (and Senate) to 
support me in passing the IRS Employee Responsibility Act of 2013 in 
order to ensure American families and taxpayers have trust in their 
government.

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