Republicans Gleeful At White House Switch

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, Oct. 22) -- House Republicans wasted no time in expressing their glee at the White House's shift of position on legislation to reform the Internal Revenue Service.

When the White House said on Tuesday it could support the plan, key GOP leaders welcomed the change, but portrayed the White House's change of heart as a capitulation.

"I commend the president for being flexible enough to admit he made a mistake," House Speaker Newt Gingrich said in a statement.

In its latest form, the legislation no longer contains a provision that would have eliminated the president's power to appoint the IRS commissioner.

Now, with bipartisan support in Congress and presidential backing, the bill is expected to go to the House floor next month. Before the administration's endorsement, Senate action was not expected this year, but Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle said today the legislation could move forward more quickly.

"The bottom line is that we're now in a position to move this legislation, and I would hope that we could move it this year," Daschle (D-S.D.) told The Associated Press.

The legislation would strengthen taxpayers' rights in disputes with the IRS. One provision would make it easier for taxpayers to prove their case in court.

One of the legislation's original authors, Rep. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), also welcomed the White House's support.

"It is an amazing development given the changes of the last week," Portman told the AP. "But I commend the administration for taking another look at it and being willing to work on a bipartisan basis with Congress to fix a troubled agency."

In Other News:

Wednesday Oct. 22, 1997

• Let's Go To The Videotape
• Clinton To Propose Emissions Reductions
• Republicans Gleeful At White House Switch
• White House Focuses On Child Care
• House To Extend Immigrant Provision
• Clinton Taps Jones For Air Force
• Congress To Keep Government Running
• Civil Rights Candidate Faces Senate
• Senate Confirms Ambassador To Rome
• House OKs Student Loans Measure
• GOP Ads Aid Congressional Candidate

E-mail From Washington:
• Ohio Congressman Support The Tribe
• First Lady Will Visit Ireland, U.K.