Richard Neal

Mr. NEAL

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I remind everyone that, in Georgia-3, there was $2.6 billion worth of tax credits; Ohio-15, $4.5 billion of tax credits; West Virginia-1, $22 million worth of tax credits. Those tax credits did not go to the Chinese. They went to American families. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Lois Frankel).

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Ryan).

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, how much time do I have remaining?

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I thank you for your impeccable fairness once again as you have presided over this Chamber as usual. I call attention to the argument I made at the outset as to how we got to where we are today. This is a manageable issue that men and women of good sense and good instincts could come together on to find a solution. The debt-to-GDP ratio, I understand the argument, but does that take into consideration a pandemic and aid to Ukraine, stopping the hostility of Putin's aggression? Does it take into account our obligations--and for those who voted for the PACT Act here--to come to the aid of our veterans? Does it take into account the infrastructure bill that some Republicans voted for? Does it take into account the CHIPS and Science Act that some Republicans voted for? Does it take into account the extraordinary increases in defense spending as China threatens America in the Straits of Taiwan and the South China Sea? These are all parts of votes that both parties have cast. These are parts of the obligations that we have to members of the American family. Republicans suggest, well, if we just chop Medicaid--and earlier today, Mr. Speaker, it should be noted this exclamation point that they have added to the argument that we have no intention of cutting Social Security or Medicare. Great. That is nice to hear. There are members of the Republican leadership in the Senate who have said precisely the opposite. They would put Medicaid and Social Security on the chopping block, and our side should not be restrained in calling attention to that, despite the debate that takes place in this Chamber. The spending challenges that we have as they relate to defense, where every Republican voted, I believe, for that defense budget and the substantial increases that have taken place, that has been an act of responsibility based upon what happens with Putin and President Xi and others who would threaten freedom across the globe. When we look at this argument that has been presented to the American people today, I want to ask you about their 401(k) plans. As they allow this argument to be pursued, the markets are going to begin to reflect this in coming days. People are going to pull back from investment. People are going to pull back from what ordinarily would be an act of good fiscal prudence. People are going to begin to pay a great deal of attention to this. The argument that Democrats have offered today is really simple: You and us, we were responsible for those increases in spending. Let us have a vote on a clean debt resolution here and then proceed to negotiation and discussion. I have heard this argument when former President Bush never vetoed one spending bill during 8 years as President. I have seen this argument when we cut taxes, without the help of us, by $1.3 trillion in 2001 and, by the way, another trillion in 2003. With the subsequent invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan and a million and a half new veterans, these are our obligations. Even though we disagreed, by and large, with those positions that were adopted by the then-majority, you recognize the reality, that the tally of the credit card is in front of us. When you get the credit card, you don't get to say, ``Well, I don't like the part of the bill that I have run up here, so I am not going to pay it,'' or you don't say, ``I will only pay this.'' The bill is in front of us. The full faith and credit of the United States is in front of us. I made reference earlier today to the fiscal probity of the Republican Party when I first came here. Whatever happened to the Republican Party when it relates to fiscal prudence and probity? We pay our bills, and we don't threaten the currency of the United States where that dollar is recognized everywhere across the globe. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. NEAL

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 190, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 191, and ``nay'' on rollcall No. 192.

Mr. NEAL

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 188 and YEA on Roll Call No. 189.

Mr. NEAL

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 185, NAY on Roll Call No. 186, and NAY on Roll Call No. 187.

Mr. NEAL

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 183, and YEA on Roll Call No. 184.

Mr. NEAL

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Springfield International Charter School Girls Basketball Team on winning the Division V Massachusetts State Championship. This milestone achievement deserves the highest praise for the hard work and dedication of these exemplary athletes and coaches. Despite the countless challenges posed by this unprecedented season, the perseverance and commitment to success demonstrated throughout the year led their team to victory on this major stage in high school basketball. The 2022-23 MIAA High School Girls Basketball Division V Tournament brought 47 of the most elite high school basketball teams from across the state to compete for this year's State Championship. Members of the Springfield International Charter School Girls Basketball Team not only performed with exceptional mental and physical fortitude, but also displayed remarkable sportsmanship and character on their path to victory. They represented the First District of Massachusetts with great honor and distinction, and I am confident that the lessons learned during this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will serve these young women well in their future endeavors. The Springfield International Charter School Girls Basketball Team was led by their Head Coach, Tyrone Reid, who has provided crucial guidance and instrumental mentorship to his young athletes both on and off the hardwood. Coach Reid was assisted by Assistant Coaches Tom Campagna, Brandie Seymour, and Shyanne Wellington, and the victorious student athletes are Allanah Chambers, Dezmariah Collazo, Alexa Davis, Iyanna Hodge, Alicia Mitchell, Hailey Morin, Sara Pierce, Jaida Polk, Meiah Wise, Noelani Santiago, Jala Witherspoon, Olivia Dailey, Giavanna Mars, and Angel Stewart. Mr. Speaker, I would like to once again acknowledge the Springfield International Charter School Girls Basketball Team for their superb achievement. I am proud of this group, and I wish them much continued success.

Mr. NEAL

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Pope Francis Preparatory School Boys Ice Hockey Team on winning the 2023 U.S.A. Hockey High School Division I National Championship. This milestone achievement deserves the highest praise for the hard work and dedication of these exemplary athletes and coaches. Despite the countless challenges posed by this unprecedented season, the perseverance and commitment to success demonstrated throughout the year led their team to victory on the biggest stage in high school hockey. The 2023 U.S.A. Hockey High School Division I Tournament brought 12 of the most elite high school hockey teams from across the country to compete for this year's National Championship. Members of the Pope Francis Boys Ice Hockey Team not only performed with exceptional mental and physical fortitude, but also displayed remarkable sportsmanship and character on their path to victory. They represented the First District of Massachusetts with great honor and distinction, and I am confident that the lessons learned during this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will serve these young men well in their future endeavors. The Pope Francis Boys Ice Hockey Team was led by their Head Coach, Mickey Foley, who has provided crucial guidance and instrumental mentorship to his young athletes both on and off the ice. Coach Foley was assisted by Assistant Coach Ryan Cloonan, Manager Kim O'Leary and the victorious student athletes who are Matthew Bolduc, Zachary Buffone, Joseph DiMichele, Patrick Fitzgerald, Colin Foyle, Joshua Iby, Jacob Jarrell, Mossey Kearney, Wyatt Kenyon, Vincent Maggi, Michael McGrath, Ryan O'Leary, Sean O'Leary, Nick Petkovich, Jacob Petrin, Nicholas Richie, Bryce Russ, Dillon Shea, CJ Watroba, and Wade Wegrzyn. Mr. Speaker, I would like to once again acknowledge the Pope Francis Preparatory School Boys Ice Hockey Team for their superb achievement. I am proud of this group and I wish them much continued success.

Mr. NEAL

Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, I join with my Massachusetts colleagues to mourn the passing of two of our former colleagues, Congressman John Olver and Congressman Brian Donnelly. John Olver, an MIT-trained chemist, dedicated his life to public service, working as an educator at the University of Massachusetts before beginning his political career. He spent 12 years in the Massachusetts Legislature prior to his election to Congress. Over the course of his 22 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, John was an effective leader and a steadfast advocate for the people of western and central Massachusetts. His approach to policymaking was a good lesson for all. It wasn't about tweeting or texting or cable TV appearances. He lacked any malice whatsoever, and he always had the purest of intentions, focusing solely on delivering for the people he felt privileged to represent. In addition, I don't know anybody who mastered the details of public life and complicated policy more than John Olver. He was a devoted husband to his wife, Rose, of 55 years and a loving father to their children. Madam Speaker, we send our best wishes to them at this difficult time. Madam Speaker, I likewise rise to honor our former colleague Brian Donnelly, a close personal friend of mine for the years that we served together in this institution. He was a steadfast public servant, a son of Massachusetts, and, perhaps more importantly, a son of Dorchester. From his days in the Boston Public Schools to the State legislature to the hearing rooms of the Ways and Means Committee, Brian lived the American Dream. I will forever be grateful to him for his retirement plan that opened up a seat on the Ways and Means Committee for me, understanding that for 70 years, Massachusetts, in straight order, has had a seat on the Ways and Means Committee. He grew up in a working-class, Irish-American household. He never forgot his ancestral roots in Galway, and he used his time in Congress to advocate for Irish nationals both in Ireland and the United States. Thousands of young immigrants secured visas through what is known as the Donnelly visa program, giving countless families the opportunity to live out the same American Dream that he knew so well. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Donnelly family during this difficult time, and I appreciate, Madam Speaker, you providing us the time for a moment of silence.

Mr. NEAL

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I rise along with the Honorable Frank Pallone of New Jersey, to include in the Record a letter to recognize and express our sincere appreciation for Ms. Jessica Shapiro's nearly two decades of exemplary work for the House Office of the Legislative Counsel. February 7, 2023. Jessica Shapiro, Senior Counsel, House Office of the Legislative Counsel, Washington, DC. Dear Ms. Shapiro: Over the last two decades, you have played a vital role drafting the words of thousands of health policies--many of which have become transformative laws--and you have done so with integrity, professionalism, and meticulousness. When you began your career in the U.S. House of Representatives, America still had gaping holes in its health insurance system. The words you drafted as part of the Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148), Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (P.L. 114-10), and No Surprises Act (P.L. 116-260)--just to name have few--have become the cornerstone for a more equitable health system that has guaranteed access to health services and provided a more robust safety net for millions of Americans. Most recently, the work you did on Medicare drug pricing reform, originally part of the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, formed a key component or President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (P.L. 117-169). Your equanimity, vast knowledge of the intricacies of the Social Security Act (P.L. 74-271), and methodical approach to drafting policy were vital to the success of that process, which required hundreds of hours of drafting, problem-solving, and redrafting. Nearly 70 million Americans will benefit from your unwavering commitment to this work. Few realize the number of hours of refinement, modification, and revision that go into making a law operational, particularly in the health space. And for every high-profile public law, there are also countless bills and amendments that do not succeed. All of this work requires sacrifices--time away from family and friends as a result of weekend and after-hour intrusions--that often go unacknowledged. The U.S. health system is in a better place today because of the sacrifices you made during your time at the House Office of the Legislative Counsel, and we thank you and your family for your dedication. Your commitment to public service will live on for decades in the words you have written in the U.S. Code. Sincerely, Hon. Richard E. Neal.

Mr. NEAL

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Chair, due to unforseen circumstances, I was unable to be present today to vote on Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez's Amendment No. 72 on H.R. 21, Strategic Production Response Act. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 68, H.R. 21, Strategic Production Response Act. Amendment No. 73 Offered by Ms. Ocasio-Cortez

Mr. NEAL

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, we are now on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the historic Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, historic in large measure because of the American dimension through a negotiated settlement which helped to bring about the longest-standing political dispute in the history of the western world. It was the people of goodwill and both parts of the island that voted referendum questions to help bring about this remarkable achievement. In this House, the question of Ireland has always been bipartisan, and it has been celebrated by both political parties here with great enthusiasm and so recognized. Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania and I, as chairpersons of the Friends of Ireland, will be asking Members to sign the proclamation that we are offering through this resolution that will celebrate this historic achievement as we prepare across America, the UK, the Republic of Ireland, and Northern Ireland for this celebration. These have been ``it will never happen'' moments that we have all had a chance to participate in, and I hope that Members will all sign this historic resolution celebrating and acknowledging this achievement.

Mr. NEAL

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this legislation, the so-called rules package. I can't wait for that term limits vote. When you ask Members on the Republican side who have been here for 20 or 30 years to then codify their votes that say that you can only be here for 12, try explaining that one back home when you have a four-seat majority. This is an extreme proposal that is in front of us. If they follow the logic to its manifestation, this will pit Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid against defense spending. Our seniors will be sold out; our military will be sold out; and the full faith and credit of the United States will be under threat, all in a quest to organize the House. The gentleman from South Dakota, a nice enough fellow, said people are making a lot about the chaos that ensued here over 4 days, particularly last Saturday morning. Was the gentleman denying that he was here, for the country to witness what happened here? This is part of a rules package that is being foisted upon the American people by a small minority within the Republican Party, and we ought to turn it down.

Mr. NEAL

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 23. My friend from Nebraska suggested a number of issues that we intend to challenge during the course of the next half hour, based upon the facts. This is theater tonight, Mr. Speaker. If we didn't get enough of the entertainment factor last week, we are going to proceed with it again this evening. Mr. Speaker, 87,000 IRS agents, let me debunk that right away. There are regular retirements of up to 8,000 a year, we are replacing them. How about the methodology of a computer upgrade, an investment in technology, more modeling, or should we have an IRS that operates the way Southwest Airlines did last week--to the dismay of the American family. This is a messaging bill, Mr. Speaker. The message that they choose to send--and let everybody understand this, the first bill that they have submitted, according to the Congressional Budget Office, adds $114 billion to the Federal deficit. Legislation number one. They don't want a fairer tax administration. They think it is bad for some of their supporters. You know what they're attempting to do tonight is bad for middle-class families, it is bad for small businesses, who are then asked to pay more when the people at the top don't pay their fair share. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from Charles Rossotti, the former IRS Commissioner. March 1, 2020. Hon. Richard Neal, Chairman, Committee on Ways & Means, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Neal: I was IRS commissioner from 1997 to 2002. At the time, Congress passed a major bill that produced some important, long-lasting reforms, including converting the IRS to electronic filing and improving treatment of taxpayers. I believe there is a major modernization opportunity today that could efficiently recover a large amount of revenue. It could gradually shrink the tax gap, while also easing burden for millions of taxpayers who interact with the IRS. I am enclosing my article in Tax Notes, entitled ``Recover $1.6 Trillion, Modernize Tax Compliance and Assistance,'' which explains this opportunity. I would be happy to talk further to you or your staff about this opportunity. Sincerely, Charles O. Rossotti, Commissioner of Internal Revenue, 1997-2002.

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, he points out in the opening paragraph of a tax notes special. By the way, those of us in the tax world know what tax notes means. He said that last year, this would be 2021, the Federal Government failed to collect $574 billion of taxes that were legally due but not paid. That is equal to more than most of the Federal deficit. If they want to reduce the Federal tax deficit, we should do a better job with tax compliance, which, after all, is the basis of a representative democracy. Mr. Speaker, 86 percent of the American people pay their taxes every year on time. Do you know why? Because they get paid in wages and it comes from withholding taxes, that is what it is about. The American people are wise to what is being presented here tonight. We live in a two-tier tax system. Wage earners follow the rules. Wealthy billionaires, they get to skirt their responsibilities. That is what we are being asked to vote on tonight. IRS funding has been stagnant, staffing levels have dropped. Have you tried getting an IRS office on the phone? How many times will we continue to let those at the top get away without paying their share? We lose out on--just think of it again--almost $600 billion a year in unpaid taxes. It is very sophisticated tax planning that is done by high-priced attorneys and CPAs. It is estimated that this could be up to $7 trillion because we score items over the course of 10 years. What might this funding pay for? How about Social Security? How about Medicare? How about a strong military? How about a child tax credit that could be expanded? How about universal paid family and medical leave? How about bringing down healthcare costs? The audit rates amongst millionaires have declined by 70 percent since 2010. Let me repeat that for anybody who didn't get that. The audit rate for millionaires has declined by 70 percent since 2010. Low-income workers who receive the earned income tax credit, they are audited more now than taxpayers who are making over $1 million a year. All we are asking for is fairness in the distribution of the responsibilities as to how we pay for government. There is a different set of standards across the land now. And to point that out to you once again--what is our commitment to America? It should be based on a fair tax system that collects what is due from those who ought to be paying. The former IRS Commissioner, a Republican, Charles Rettig, he pointed out that he was fully in support of the legislation that we were offering because the IRS is continually out-maneuvered and out-gunned by sophisticated efforts from tax lawyers and CPAs. We have to put American families over the politics in the distribution of theater that we are witnessing tonight. See through this legislation and vote ``no.'' Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett), who intends to talk about the tax gap.

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the Statement of the Administration Policy opposing H.R. 23. Statement of Administration Policy H.R. 23--To rescind certain balances made available to the Internal Revenue Service The Administration strongly opposes H.R. 23, to rescind certain balances made available to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The bill would rescind funding passed in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) that enables the IRS to crack down on large corporations and high-income people who cheat on their taxes and evade the taxes that they owe under the law. This reckless bill would increase the deficit by nearly $115 billion over 10 years per an estimate by the Congressional Budget Office by enabling wealthy tax cheats to engage in additional tax fraud and avoidance. To be clear, the Treasury Secretary has already directed that none of the additional IRS resources be used to increase audit rates relative to historical levels for small businesses or households with incomes below $400,000. Far from protecting middle-class families or small businesses, H.R. 23 protects wealthy tax cheats at the expense of honest, middle-class taxpayers. Each year the top one percent hides about 20 percent of their income from the government so they can get away with not paying any tax on it. That means that working people--who report 99 percent of their income to the IRS--pay a larger share of collected taxes than they should. Not only does it shift the tax burden from the wealthy to the middle- class, it would also make it harder for middle-class families and small businesses to get timely tax refunds and other important services from the IRS, by rescinding billions in funding for IRS information technology and operations. With their first economic legislation of the new Congress, House Republicans are making clear that their top economic priority is to allow the rich and multi-billion dollar corporations to skip out on their taxes, while making life harder for ordinary, middle-class families that pay the taxes they owe. That's their agenda; not lowering costs or cutting taxes for hard working Americans--as President Biden has consistently advocated. If the President were presented with H.R. 23--or any other bill that enables the wealthiest Americans and largest corporations to cheat on their taxes, while honest and hard- working Americans are left to pay the tab--he would veto it.

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a CBO score for this bill that is showing that it will add $114 billion to the Federal deficit over the next 10 years.

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record an op-ed piece from the former IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig, a Republican, titled: ``IRS sets the record straight: We're going after tax evaders, not honest Americans.'' [From Yahoo! Finance, Aug. 25, 2022] IRS Sets the Record Straight: We're Going After Tax Evaders, Not Honest Americans: Op-Ed (By Charles P. Rettig) As the nation's tax administrator, the IRS plays a unique role in our nation. It can be a difficult job. After all, does anyone really like paying taxes? Of course not. But they're essential to fund the roads we drive on, the schools our children attend, support our military and so much more. Unfortunately, given the nature of this work and historical stereotypes, the IRS is often perceived as an easy target for mischaracterizations of what IRS employees do--and that's exactly what's happened in recent weeks. The recent debate over providing badly needed funding to the IRS is filled with outright false suggestions about what the agency and our hardworking employees do--as well as how the additional resources will be handled. The bottom line is this: These resources are absolutely not about increasing audit scrutiny on small business or middle- income Americans. The investment of these important resources is designed to support honest, compliant taxpayers. Our investment is designed around a Treasury directive that audit rates do not rise relative to recent years for households making under $400,000. We all want a fair and impartial system where everyone contributes their fair share, no more and certainly no less. A robust, visible tax enforcement effort focused on high-end tax evaders and those supporting them is a priority. Underpayments by tax evaders shift the burden of operating our great country onto honest, hard-working Americans who follow the law. With this new law, honest taxpayers will see badly needed, meaningful service improvements at the IRS. The IRS should be able to answer the phones and process information--including tax returns--in a timely manner. Enhanced IT systems and taxpayer services will mean that honest taxpayers will be better able to comply with the tax laws, ultimately resulting in a lower--yes, lower--likelihood of being audited and a reduced burden on them. To set the record straight on this important legislation and dispel any lingering misperceptions, here are some key facts to keep in mind: False Statement: The IRS is hiring 87,000 armed special agents to harass taxpayers. Reality: Absolutely false. The majority of new hires the IRS makes will be those who answer the phones, work on processing individual tax returns or go after high-end taxpayers or corporations who are avoiding their taxes. Less than 1 percent of new hires will be in our IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) area, which currently has a total of about 2,100 special agents and is currently hiring about 300 more. These CI special agents investigate criminal tax violations typically related to money laundering, Bank Secrecy, National Security and National Defense matters. They have been involved in dismantling terrorist financing efforts and criminal cartels as well as eliminating child exploitation operations in the Dark Net that led to the arrests of hundreds of people throughout the world. They do not perform civil tax administrative functions such as audits of tax returns. They are law enforcement officers, and every American should be extremely proud they are on our team. False Statement: All IRS employees--and those being hired under the new legislation--will carry firearms. Reality: Again, absolutely false. More than 97 percent of IRS employees do not carry weapons. This includes key civil- side enforcement personnel, including revenue agents, examiners and others involved in audits and compliance work. Less than 3 percent of IRS employees--expressly limited to Criminal Investigation special agents--carry firearms. IRS Criminal Investigation oversees the entirety of the work related to criminal violations of the tax law and other financial crimes. This is consistent with other federal law enforcement agencies. False Statement: The additional funding will be used to hire more auditors to ``shake down'' average taxpayers. Reality: False. Wage-earning taxpayers like firefighters, construction workers, teachers and police officers are among the most compliant taxpayers, given that their incomes come from Forms W-2 and 1099. These resources are absolutely not about increasing audit scrutiny on small businesses or middle-income Americans. Instead, the additional resources will also be focused on large corporate and high net-worth taxpayers to enforce laws already on the books that the IRS does not have enough resources to pursue. False Statement: The new legislation will be a massive overnight expansion of the IRS. Reality: False. This funding--which will be spread over 10 years--will add employees over time as we modernize our operations with meaningful technological enhancements. In addition, the IRS has one of the oldest workforces in government, and staffing has been in a deep decline for many years. More than 50,000 employees will retire in the next few years, leaving the foundation of the tax system that the nation relies on at risk. We've been losing 10,000 employees a year. Overall, current IRS staffing is far below historical norms. In 1992, the IRS had 117,000 employees--38,000 more than today. Back then, the agency was dealing with fewer taxpayers; the U.S. population has grown almost 30 percent since 1992. False Statement: This new funding will allow overreach by the IRS, putting agents on every street corner and prying into people's personal financial lives. Reality: False. This funding will allow the IRS to better serve the nation's taxpayers--and ultimately meet the critical needs of our country. Our employees care and, like others in government, take an oath to support our country. We take pride in hiring veterans, people with disabilities and people from all walks of life and from every corner of our country. Many of our employees, including myself, are members of a military family. And all of our employees reflect the taxpayers we serve. I am an extremely proud American, a member of a proud military family, and simply will not accept baseless, harmful assertions against the interests of our country and the proud, hard-working employees of the IRS. Everyone should know this about IRS employees: We care, a lot, about this country and you.

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson), who is a much-valued member of the Ways and Means Committee.

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell), who is sure to offer clarity to this important issue.

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.