Opening Statement Charles Boustany (R-LA) Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Oversight Hearing on IRS Operations and the 2010 Tax Return Filing Season  (Remarks as Prepared) Mr. Chairman, thank you for yielding time.  Commissioner Shulman, thank you once again for appearing before the Subcommittee.  More generally, I want to thank you and every IRS employee who works for you for… Read more

In the 1970s, China injected itself with economic reform.  Now, in 2010, China appears afflicted by a menacing strain of that reform that is either constraining a global economic recovery or, worse, capable of creating a new economic pandemic.  While China’s emergence as an economic powerhouse has rightly grabbed our attention, however, the trends are not new, and there… Read more

Thank you,Mr. Chairman.  It’s nice to be back here with you for the first hearing ofthe Subcommittee this year.During his1986 State of the Union Address, President Ronald Reagan said, “[G]overnment’sview of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, taxit.  If it keeps moving, regulate it.  And if it stops moving,subsidize it.” I thinkthose words echo in the minds… Read more

Madam Speaker, The American people have spoken: they do not want the tentacles of the federal government reaching into their lives and controlling their personal health care decisions.  Yet, that is exactly what will happen under the Democrats’ health care bill – federal bureaucrats will be making your health care choices for you and the IRS will be enforcing them. The… Read more

Madam Chairwoman, Ranking Member Dreier, and members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify today on this legislation. The American people have spoken: they do not want the federal government involved in their personal health care and they do not want a bill that spends over a $1 trillion, raises more than one-half trillion dollars in new taxes, cuts Medicare by more… Read more

Mr. Chairman, thank you and let me take this opportunity to publicly congratulate you on your new rank within this Committee.  We have always had a good working relationship, and I look forward to this continuing.  You have said your approach will be “collegial but tough.”  I think that is exactly what we will have here today as we consider the Small Business and Infrastructure Jobs… Read more

(Remarks as Prepared) Mr. Chairman, thank you for yielding time.   And Ms. Olson, thank you once again for appearing before the Subcommittee to represent the interests of one of the groups most in need of Washington representation – average American taxpayers.  You do a great service to our country and I thank you for your tireless advocacy on behalf of those taxpayers.  We are… Read more

Thank you for calling this hearing today.  This Subcommittee has had five solo hearings in the last year.  The first was last March, titled “protecting lower-income families while fighting global warming.”  Our Democrat colleagues discussed their plan to create the largest welfare program in American history, called “Energy Stamps.”  That policy found its way into the House-passed… Read more

Thank you Mr. Chairman, and welcome back to the Committee, Mr. Secretary. Today we begin our annual cycle of hearings on the President’s budget proposals and their effects stretching out for the coming decade.  As usual, we will have many specific questions about what the Administration plans in terms of spending and taxes, and why. But before we get to the specific questions about the… Read more

Madam Chairwoman, Ranking Member Dreier, and members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify today on this legislation. This legislation increases the debt limit by an astounding $1.9 trillion, the largest one-time increase in the debt limit ever. Since the Majority came into control of Congress, the debt limit has been increased by over $5.3 trillion or by nearly… Read more