Full Funding for IRS Enforcement Rejected in Committee

By a 34-27 vote, the House Appropriations Committee rejected an amendment to add $180 million to the IRS enforcement budget by Rep. John Olver (D-MA). Olver said that the increase would be consistent with President Bush's budget and that enforcement could help reduce the "tax gap"--presently estimated at about $1/3 trillion. Specifically, Rep. Olver estimated $2 billion of increased revenue with the unsuccessful legislation.