WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Grassley, ranking member of the Finance Committee, and six other committee members are asking for an inspector general review of whether Obama Administration officials illegally accessed and disclosed confidential taxpayer information.

The inquiry comes after media reports quoted a senior Obama Administration official describing the tax structure of Koch Industries, Inc.  Taxpayer confidentiality laws are strict, in part to prevent the use of tax information for political gain.  The official appeared to indicate knowledge of Koch Industries' tax structure beyond what is publicly available.

Grassley, along with Sens. Jon Kyl, Jim Bunning, Pat Roberts, Michael B. Enzi, John Cornyn and John Ensign, asked the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration to investigate whether Obama Administration officials inappropriately examined and disclosed confidential taxpayer information and if so, whether they violated the taxpayer confidentiality law, known as section 6103.

"... the statement that Koch is a pass-through entity implies direct knowledge of Koch's legal and tax status, which would appear to be a violation of section 6103," the senators wrote.  "Alternatively, if the statement was based on speculation, it raises the question of whether the Administration speculating about any specific taxpayer's liability is appropriate."

The Finance Committee has exclusive Senate jurisdiction over tax policy.  The signed version of the senators' letter is available here.  The text of the senators' letter follows below.

An article from The Wall Street Journal quoting a senior Obama Administration official describing Koch Industries' tax structure is available here.

A transcript of a speech by President Obama in which he singles out Americans for Prosperity is available here.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Grassley Continues to Press for Release of Congressionally Mandated Report on Medicaid's Status

"I said before that the report might contain bad news, but we all need to see it," Grassley said.  "The new health care reform law expands Medicaid by the greatest amount in the program's history, yet states are already struggling to afford their existing Medicaid responsibilities.  A true picture of Medicaid's financial state is necessary to ensure that services are funded adequately for the millions of people who rely on the program.  It would really bother me if HHS were withholding the report because they don't want people to know what the true picture of Medicaid is."

During his weekly video address, Chuck Grassley discusses legislation he co-sponsored that would require Congress to give final approval before major federal regulations can take effect.

Senator Grassley:  "I would like to visit with you about the runaway federal government bureaucracy. Consequently, this week I joined a group of senators introducing a bill that would require Congress to give final approval to major federal regulations before those regulations can take effect.

The new bill responds to growing regulatory burden and its negative impact on job creation.  The Constitution vests all legislative power in the Congress, which is the branch most accountable to the people.  Yet, year after year, Congress passes legislation that delegates more power to the executive branch.  In doing so, it also fails to assess the full impact of those laws and how that power is used.  As a result, federal agencies are increasingly bypassing Congress and imposing new regulations that Congress never intended.  Unfortunately, these regulations often have grave consequences for average Americans that don't appear to be explored or are ignored by the federal agency.

For instance, a tidal wave of new regulations is hitting the private sector with health care reform and other big pieces of legislation like the financial system regulation.  The uncertainty about the real impact and cost of these new regulations, along with the uncertainty of looming tax increases, make it much harder for employers to make commitments to create new jobs and hire workers.

The financial burdens of new regulations are estimated to be in the many trillions of dollars.  The Heritage Foundation estimates that the rules issued by the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate carbon dioxide alone could reach nearly $7 trillion in the next 20 years.  This is a cost that Americans simply can't handle.

This bill is a step in the right direction.  It will help establish greater accountability for major regulations handed down from the executive branch.  And, it will restore some badly needed checks and balances in our system of government that have been eroded."

September 27, 2010

Skip-a-Long Child Development Services is naming its "Business Volunteer of the Year" as part of its 40th birthday party today. Also on hand for the celebration are Representative Pat Verschoore and Rock Island Dennis Mayor Pauley.

Skip-a-Long Child Development Services opened its doors forty years ago--on August 24th --with one student and grant monies from the state, local  churches, individuals, businesses and the Deere Foundation. Today there are four campuses in the Quad Cities serving more than 900 children on a daily basis.

As a way to celebrate its past and look forward to its future the centers are hosting birthday parties during the month of September and organizers are putting out the call for all alumni to come visit the campus they attended years ago.

The Rock Island party will take place from 12:00 pm until the center closes with a cookout for all alumni, parents and staff. There is a short awards program at noon to recognize family and business volunteers. State Representative Pat Verschoore and the Mayor Dennis Pauley, will speak at the program and then cut the special birthday cake for all the children. The media is invited to attend.

WHO: Rock Island Skip-a-Long Child Development Center WHAT: Birthday party with dignitaries, alumni, staff and friends

WHEN: Monday, September 27th party at the Rock Island campus (1609 4th Street) Noon cookout and program with Mayor Pauley and Rep. Verschoore

WHY: To celebrate the oldest child care center in the Quad Cities