January 3, 2005

Once Upon a Time on Capitol Hill...

How did the IRS peek-a-boo provision get into the recent omnibus appropriations bill for fiscal year 2005? According to Republican House staffer Rich Efford, it was just a matter of good housekeeping. The 19-year hill veteran acknowledged that he was the source of the language that was added to the bill, which resulted in its delayed passage. The House and Senate worked to remove the language from the final legislation, which has been signed by the President. The controversial provision would have allowed leaders of the House and Senate Appropriations committees to sign letters letting other people see tax returns while visiting I-R-S facilities.

G-O-P staffer takes blame for privacy row in spending bill, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, December 3, 2004.