WASHINGTON, DC-Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee Ranking Member John Lewis (D-GA), delivered the following statement today at a Subcommittee hearing on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) operations and the 2011 tax return filing season.
“I thank the Chairman for holding this hearing on the Internal Revenue Service. I am pleased to have the Commissioner before us today. This hearing is timely. I have serious concerns about Republican plans to cut funding for the agency and the effect that those cuts will have on taxpayers.
The Majority’s plan to cut $600 million from the agency’s budget this year will result in $4 billion in lost revenue. I do not understand how this helps the deficit. The plan also harms taxpayers. An estimated three million people will not have their telephone calls answered and one million people will not receive face-to-face service at an agency center. This makes no sense.
I look forward to discussing the agency’s proposed budget for next year. Most of the funds requested for the Affordable Care Act are to assist taxpayers and improve operations-not for enforcement agents, as charged by some.
Finally, I would like to ensure that the agency has the resources it needs to balance taxpayer services and enforcement. It is important for the agency to provide services that help elderly, low-income, and working-class Americans fulfill their tax obligations. It is equally important that the tax laws are applied fairly to all taxpayers. I look forward to the Commissioner’s testimony on how to achieve this balance.
Thank you."
