tax

Don't you think majority chairs in some congressional committess should be able to have free access to income tax returns of ANYBODY without general privacy protections?
So does Oklahoma Republican Ernest Istook, the member that inserted this into the appropriations bill:

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.

Frist says Rep. Istook specifically asked for the provision. From the Guardian:

`"There will be no window where this will be law," Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said. He referred to the provision as the Istook amendment and congressional aides said it was put in the bill at the request of Rep. Ernest Istook Jr., chairman of the House Appropriations Committee's transportation subcommittee.

Oops..