More fun and games with the omnibus spending bill (read this!)
In addition to the abortion provision, it seems that Rep. Ernest Istook of Oklahoma inserted the following provision:
"Hereinafter, notwithstanding any other provision of law governing the disclosure of income tax returns or return information, upon written request of the Chairman of the House or Senate Committee on Appropriations, the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service shall allow agents designated by such Chairman access to Internal Revenue Service facilities and any tax returns or return information contained therein."
TPM notes:
"The provision was slipped into the bill at the last moment. And, at least on the Democratic side, no one was told about it until some Dems caught it at the last moment.
Senate Republicans quickly backtracked, calling the provision a mistake or snafu and insisting they knew nothing about it. You can see some of the back-and-forth that took place on the Senate floor in this AP piece at CNN."
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2004_11_14.php#004074
Nice.
