    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [May 7, 1998]
    [Page 716]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Senate Action on Internal Revenue Service Reform
    Legislation
    May 7, 1998

        I am very pleased that IRS reform took a major step forward today
    with bipartisan passage of the Senate bill. We've worked hard to give
    the American people an IRS that is fairer and more responsive to their
    needs and to support the many dedicated IRS employees who do want to
    serve them well. We've made progress, and final passage of this reform
    bill will help our efforts to give Americans the modern, customer-
    friendly IRS they deserve.
        Vice President Gore and Treasury
    Secretary Bob Rubin last year completed a
    top-to-bottom review of customer service at the IRS. This effort has
    launched a complete revamping of customer service at the IRS. IRS
    offices and phones are open longer, problemsolving days have been
    instituted, and independent citizen advocacy panels are being launched.
    I've also appointed a new kind of IRS Commissioner. Charles
    Rossotti is an experienced businessman
    who understands technology and understands customer service. Certainly,
    not every problem will be solved overnight, but our new Commissioner is
    committed to ongoing reform and to correcting problems when they arise.
        The Senate bill, like the House bill, will provide Commissioner
    Rossotti the tools he needs to succeed,
    and it will expand taxpayer rights. The new personnel flexibility
    provisions will allow the IRS to bring in talent and expertise from the
    private sector. The bill provides taxpayers with a stronger Taxpayer
    Advocate. It also advances the important goal of expanding electronic
    filing of tax returns to make it easier for taxpayers.
        I urge the House and Senate to act quickly and send me a bill to
    sign that expands taxpayer rights and moves us forward towards
    delivering an IRS the American people deserve. We will continue to work
    with the Congress on a bipartisan basis on a final bill that advances
    our shared goals, that avoids unintended benefits for noncompliant
    taxpayers, and that is consistent with our commitment to fiscal
    discipline.