[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 118 (Tuesday, September 10, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1276]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          INTRODUCTION OF THE IRS ABUSE PROTECTION ACT OF 2013

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                        HON. STEPHEN LEE FINCHER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 10, 2013

  Mr. FINCHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss my bill, the IRS 
Abuse Protection Act of 2013, which requires the IRS to notify 
taxpayers when their records are accessed. Taxpayer information is the 
private information of the taxpayer and they have a right to know when, 
who, why, and what that information is used for.
  Mr. Speaker, by introducing this bill we hope to ensure people will 
not be threatened or intimidated by the federal government. This bill 
presses forth transparency and accountability. 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 those responsible for using private information 
to quiet individuals and organizations that disagree with the President 
can no longer hide behind the wall of Washington secrecy and are held 
accountable for their actions.
  Simply put, I believe when personal information is accessed; 
taxpayers have a right to know who accessed the information, why it was 
accessed, and what the information is used for as well as having access 
to the information and any reports generated from it.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues in the House (and Senate) to 
support me in passing the IRS Abuse Protection Act of 2013 in order to 
ensure American families and taxpayers have trust in their government.

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