House cuts and then Harry Reid goes to the podium and blames Cliven Bundy or the Southern borders are safe and protected or he just thinks it's just someone else's fault. After his almighty makes a jet run to spend and oh another wasted golf game. One question has Joe Biiiiiiiiiddddddeeeennnnnn realized his caddy skills suck yet?

I MISS YOU

I actually think it is a mistake to stop the IRS from enforcing the law and sticking us all....including the moochers and useful idiots who voted for Obama. If they get some pain ....they might actually wake up and realize that there is no free lunch!!!

Finally, a little good news out of Washington. It's not a big deal but I'm willing to grasp at any positive straws available. All my life I've heard talk of the IRS with fear and trembling. It's about time that we spay this department or better still, get rid of it altogether.

You don't need as many people when you've already upgraded your systems and have an automated process. I'm 100% certain that other agencies not labeled IRS funnel money into the IRS. mark my words, That bloated pig isn't going to get any thinner or less intimidating from this.

That is correct, but in practice the Senate will sometimes take it up first. Part of the dysfunction.

Not enough cut. Should be the entire budget and disband the agency. Start over with a flat or Fair tax and let everyone pay something into the pot.
I can still dream, can't I?

It was useful in getting Al Capone... ;)

Seriously, though, I think we all agree with the sentiment that the IRS is just one more example of a government agency run amok. Do they have a legitimate purpose? In my view, yes. But those in positions of power have been using it in expressly illegal ways (voter suppression, intimidation, etc.).

Could the IRS be substantially reduced through simplification of the tax code? I believe so. Add to that the growth in online filing and I don't think it would be unreasonable to reduce the size of the IRS by 90% - or more. Of course I would like to see nearly all of the agencies of the Federal Government similarly trimmed (or eliminated completely).

While I agree with the sentiment, we've already watched him exercise extra-Constitutional powers on a regular basis. There is legality, and there is reality. Until he is either held in Contempt by the House Sergeant-at-Arms or formally Impeached, this President will continue to ignore the Constitutional limits on the Executive Branch as he has done for six years.

I agree but if they try to take funding away people will scream that there will be no employees to do tax refunds. Basically the same message that was delivered when they shut down the government. Personally I wish they would shut down the entire government. Many of our problems would go away on their own. :)

The House can stipulate specific funding to different parts of the agency. The Constitution is infinitely more important than the welfare state. Maybe those waiting on the Earned Income Credits should yell at the Administration for not doing their job

how is the IRS representative of a free society? In what way should they be considered legitimate?

he cannot. Only the House can initiate spending.

I think that the House must initiate the bill. They can send over a budget that does not include funding for the IRS or any other agency.The Senate can't initiate funding bills.

Obama sees the U S Treasury as his personal stash. He can do what we wants with Eric Holder and DoJ is his protection racket.
Cheers

End the IRS altogether! Fair Tax instead!

I like the gesture - even if it is symbolic. The question is: will Obama fund the IRS _anyway_?

Actually, that was true for the first five years of Obama's presidency, but last year they actually did pass a real budget. Doesn't excuse them for the first five years, and it was the Republican House that demanded the Budget this go-around.

Personally, I'd add a clause to the Constitutional powers that dictate the completion of the MANDATORY budget (which the Senate conveniently ignored for five years) that says that no other law OR Executive Action can be legally enforced UNTIL a budget is passed. That makes sure that it is the first order of business in each legislative cycle.

There should NEVER exist any entity of government which has the power to shut down the lives of the citizens.
This goes for all of the controlling and manipulate people in ALL of the "alphabet soup" agencies.
We the people aren't "property of the government".

The Senate does vote on the budget.

There hasn't been a budget for the entire Obama presidency though, has never been an agreement, only continuing resolutions amending the last-approved budget.

I agree and they will do that because the dems will squeal that not one is going to get a tax refund because those damn republicans are holding the IRS hostage and they will not have courage enough to stand up to them.

Seriously, since this really can’t go anywhere right now..I think it’s a distraction from the Senate democrats coming up with a bill designed to get around the HobbyLobby decision. Neither bill is going anywhere and both sides are trying to position themselves for media attention as the election approaches. I might turn off the tv starting now and read the paper the day after the election. :)

It’s okay. Turn off the GPS. I love reading maps. :)

I see I am not that clear. passing a bill to defund the IRS monies can be vetoed by the President. In Sept-Oct, the house alone can act on not passing a budget for the IRS. If they don't get their money, they can't operate. The President could do an exec order and then we're tied up in the courts. The House controls all the money by design