WASHINGTON -- The Senate Finance Committee's investigative hearings into the practices and procedures of the Internal Revenue Service ended abruptly today when the Democratic leadership objected to Senate committees meeting.

Under the rules of the Senate, committees must have unanimous consent from all members of the Senate to meet after the Senate has been in session for more than two hours. Such consent is routinely given. The Senate met this morning at 9:30 am, so the Senate needed a unanimous consent agreement to meet after 11:30 am. Today, a unanimous consent agreement could not be reached because of an objection to committees meeting by the Democratic leadership, and the Finance Committee had to suspend business at 11:30.

"It is unfortunate that this has happened. There are thousands of taxpayers who are very interested in these hearings, and learning what our witnesses have to say," stated Senate Finance Committee Chairman William V. Roth, Jr.

"I am hopeful that we can resume this hearing later today. Regardless, I intend to resume the hearing Wednesday morning at 9:00 am, and we will be able to meet until at least 2:00 pm," Roth stated.

http://www.senate.gov

Press Release #105-177
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Christina Pearson
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