The Truth About IRS

Number 26
Alright time has expired.
Mr. Becerra is recognized.

Thanks, Chairman. Gentlemen, thank you very much for your testimony and let me key off of something Mr Miller you said. You said foolish mistakes were made.
I think the President actually said it better. He said that the handling of those tax exempt applications in that process at the IRS was outrageous and intolerable. No excuse.
And as much as we know that the folks at IRS have a thankless job because they have to go and tell their fellow Americans that they may be audited or they have to do this work under staff, we have to maintain the confidence in the system because it’s a voluntary system of payment of our taxes.

Agreed.

And so you’re right, it was a foolish mistake. But the President’s even more correct that it was outrageous and intolerable.
Now, let me also focus on something Mr. George you said.
When you were asked, was there any finding or evidence of political motivation here, you said, “No.”

That’s correct, sir.

Okay. And so, what we find is a situation where inexcusable activity took place because it erodes the confidence of the American people in a system where they participate voluntarily. And if there’s a place in public service where you have to have the highest level of conduct and standards, it’s at the IRS.

And so, Mr. Miller, I think it’s unfortunate for those who are in positions of authority. But the buck has to stop somewhere and I think that’s exactly, exactly what we’re saying. That should not diminish the good work that has been done by anyone within the IRS over the years.

And so, I hope you understand that you are here today talking to us because we need to get to the bottom of this.
We need to clean up and clear out so we can go back to the business of making sure that people respect the fact that we have a voluntary system of paying our taxes.

Having said that, let me ask a question of Mr. George. In your report, you indicate that and then I think I’m quoting correctly here. There appeared to be some confusion by the determinations, unit specialists and applicants.