Stopping Government Abuse

August 2, 2013

Dear Friend,

Every few weeks, it seems like there is another report about abuse and scandal within the IRS and other federal agencies – a single conference for IRS officials that cost $4 million, travel expenses for senior government officials that amounted to $9 million over two years, the targeting of conservative groups filing for tax-exempt status, and the list goes on.

This week, I voted for a number of bills that are designed to stop government abuse. The bills aim to do everything from increasing accountability for government spending to reining in bonuses for government officials. I’ve highlighted a few of the bills I thought you’d find interesting: 

  • Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act (H.R. 367). Every year, federal agencies issue dozens of regulations that cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. Helping to limit the size and scope of government, this bill, which I have cosponsored, requires regulations that have an economic impact of $100 million or more to come before Congress for a clean, up-or-down vote before taking effect. 
  • Keep the IRS Off Your Health Care (H.R. 2009). The IRS has a role in 47 different aspects of the new health care law, according to the Government Accountability Office. This is not a role that the IRS should undertake, which is why H.R. 2009 is so important. This legislation would prohibit the IRS from implementing or enforcing any provisions of the health care law.
  • Taxpayer Bill of Rights (H.R. 2768). The rights of taxpayers have been too often abused by the IRS and other government agencies. Creating what amounts to a Taxpayer Bill of Rights, this legislation would ensure IRS employees respect certain enumerated taxpayer rights, including a right to privacy and confidentiality.

Thank you to those who have reached out to my office with questions about government abuse in recent months. Please let me know if there’s anything else my office can do for you.

Sincerely,

Kay Granger
Member of Congress