Lucas Supports Two Bills to Improve IRS Accountability

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-3) today voted to pass two pieces of legislation aimed at bringing greater accountability to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and its employees.

From 2004 to 2013, the IRS’s inspector general found that almost 1,600 IRS employees were willfully tax noncompliant. The No Hires for the Delinquent IRS Act, which passed today by a vote of 254 – 170, seeks to remedy this issue by prohibiting the IRS from hiring any new employees until the Treasury Secretary verifies that no current IRS employees have significant delinquent tax debt.

The IRS Oversight While Eliminating Spending Act, which today by a vote of 245 – 179, grants Congress greater control over how the IRS spends fees imposed on taxpayers. These fees amount to roughly $350 million per year, with a portion going towards the implementation of Obamacare, according to IRS Commissioner John Koskinen.

“Frustration with the IRS is an issue that resonates with Americans of all political philosophies. Unfortunately, President Obama has repeatedly blocked any effort to fix our country’s staggeringly complex tax code or even reform the IRS – an agency with an astounding record of dishonesty and incompetence under this Administration,” said Congressman Lucas.

“Any government agency, especially one with so much power over our nation’s workers and businesses, must be held to the highest degree of accountability. With these two bills today, the House continues its fight to protect taxpayers by drawing greater scrutiny toward IRS spending and ensuring the agency’s employees are worthy of the confidence and trust of the American people.”