    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [May 2, 1998]
    [Page 670]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 670]]

    The President's Radio Address
    May 2, 1998

        Good morning. Today I want to talk about our efforts to improve
    service and end abuses at the Internal Revenue Service. American
    citizens have every right to expect that they'll be treated with respect
    by a Government that works for them. A big part of our values as a
    people include courtesy, efficiency, and fairness from Government.
        For far too long in the minds of too many Americans, the IRS has
    symbolized an immense bureaucracy, a place where unfair treatment and
    unresponsive service were far too common. We've worked hard to give the
    American people an IRS that is fairer, more efficient, more responsive
    to their needs, and to support the many dedicated IRS employees who do
    want to serve them well. And we've made progress.
        Two years ago I was proud to sign into law the second Taxpayer Bill
    of Rights. It's made it easier for taxpayers to appeal IRS decisions and
    to recover attorney's fees when the IRS makes mistakes. And last May
    Vice President Gore and Treasury Secretary
    Bob Rubin began an unflinching top to bottom
    review of customer service at the IRS. They reported back to me with
    their recommendations, and we're already beginning to see a new IRS that
    is more committed to the needs of taxpayers.
        We're keeping IRS offices open longer during filing season,
    launching independent citizen advocacy panels to help taxpayers get
    relief. Now you can call the IRS and get telephone service 6 days a
    week, 18 hours a day; soon it'll be 24 hours a day. And this year 24
    million Americans saved an awful lot of time and hassle by filing their
    returns on the phone or electronically. I've also appointed a new IRS
    Commissioner and a new kind of IRS Commissioner. Charles
    Rossotti is an experienced businessman
    who spent his entire career on the taxpayer side of the table.
        But we've got more to do. Like most Americans, I was outraged by
    testimony at last week's congressional hearings on the IRS, by the
    stories of our citizens harassed and humiliated by what seemed to be an
    unaccountable, downright tone-deaf agency. These problems developed over
    years, of course, and we can't solve them all overnight. But
    Commissioner Rossotti has moved swiftly
    to rout out abuses and to further reform operations of the IRS.
        Also, he's asked Judge William Webster, the former Director of the FBI and the CIA, to conduct an
    independent review of the criminal investigation division. As further
    steps are needed, they will be taken.
        But above all, our new Commissioner
    needs new tools to build a better IRS, and he needs them now. Last year
    our administration worked with the House of Representatives to pass
    sweeping, strong, bipartisan reform of the IRS, to give citizens more
    protection, improve service, reduce abuse. Now the Senate is poised to
    enact very similar legislation. I call on Congress to make this year the
    year we set aside political differences to enact real reforms of the
    IRS. When it comes to quality service at the IRS, Congress can't afford
    to file for an extension.
        As we continue to improve our work, we may uncover more problems at
    the IRS. Now, if we do, I pledge to the American people that once again
    we'll act swiftly, guarding against abuse, punishing those who cross the
    line. And as we do, we will build a fairer and more effective Government
    for a stronger America in the 21st century.
        Thanks for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 4:30 p.m. on May 1 at a private
    residence in Palo Alto, CA, for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on May 2.