Press Release: Rep. Paul Cook Votes To Protect Taxpayers and Bring Accountability to IRS

WASHINGTON- Rep. Paul Cook (R-Apple Valley) voted in favor of a package of bills this week designed to protect taxpayers and bring accountability to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  

H.R. 3724, the Ensuring Integrity in the IRS Workforce Act, will prevent the IRS from rehiring any former employee who was terminated for misconduct. H.R. 4890, the IRS Bonuses Tied to Measurable Metrics Act, will prohibit any bonuses to IRS employees until the agency submits to Congress a verifiable plan to improve customer service for taxpayers. Finally, H.R. 2106, the No Hires for Delinquent IRS Act, bars the agency from making additional hires until it can verify that IRS employees do not have a seriously delinquent tax debt.

Rep. Cook said, “The Internal Revenue Service has been embroiled in scandal for longer than I’ve been in Congress. When a government agency is this out of control, it’s time for Congress to step in and force accountability. I was blown away to hear that the IRS was allowed to employ people with serious tax delinquencies. These reforms are a no-brainer. These bills will force the IRS to behave more professionally and better serve American taxpayers.”

A member of the House Natural Resources, Armed Services, and Foreign Affairs Committees, Cook served as an infantry officer and retired after 26 years as a Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps. During his time in combat, he was awarded the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts.