[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 45 (Thursday, March 9, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S728]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              NOMINATIONS

  Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, finally, on the nominations front, 
today will be a busy day on the Senate floor.
  Later this morning, we will confirm Daniel Werfel to serve as 
Commissioner for the IRS. Mr. Werfel's confirmation will bring 
important benefits to the American people because when the IRS is 
better staffed, more Americans can benefit from the tax credits--
significant tax credits--we approved last year through legislation like 
CHIPS and Science and the IRA and other legislation as well.
  First, Republicans wanted to cut IRS agents, which hurts the American 
people because they have to wait longer in line to get help with filing 
their taxes, and it lets the rich get away without paying their fair 
share of taxes.
  No ultrawealthy American should ever pay less on a percentage basis 
than a nurse or a cabdriver. This nomination, plus the addition of IRS 
agents in the bill, will make it far more likely the wealthy will pay 
their fair share. As we know, under Donald Trump, auditing the 
ultrawealthy went way down, while people on the EITC, the earned income 
tax credit, who were making about $40,000 a year, were being audited 
over and over again.
  It also makes it more likely that when Americans need help, they 
won't have to wait hours or days or weeks to get in touch with an IRS 
agent.
  We will also confirm today two more exceptional judges: James Edward 
Simmons, Jr., to serve as district judge for the Southern District of 
California, and Maria Kahn to serve on the Second Circuit Court of 
Appeals. Both Mr. Simmons and Ms. Kahn are remarkable legal minds, with 
impressive resumes. Their confirmations will strengthen our Federal 
courts and help restore Americans' trust in an independent and 
impartial judiciary.
  I look forward to getting these three nominees confirmed, and I thank 
my colleagues from both sides of the aisle for their bipartisan 
support.
  I yield the floor.

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