2 chapters across the catalog
IRS Funding, Jacob Lew and Tax Compliance
Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew and Senator Dick Durbin discuss the declining level of service at the IRS due to budget cuts. Lew reports that the agency only answers about 37% of calls with an average wait time of 23 minutes. The hosts suggest the agency is engaging in a deliberate "slowdown" to pressure Congress for more funding and to target "tax cheaters."
Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, Senate Abortion Dispute
The Senate's bipartisan human trafficking bill has stalled due to a dispute over a provision banning the use of funds for abortions. Democrats, led by Minority Whip Dick Durbin, claim they were misled by staff regarding the language, while Republicans like Deb Fischer deny any ill intent. The hosts analyze the gridlock, suggesting that congressional members may be reluctant to pass strict penalties for "Johns" due to their own potential involvement with sex workers.
