Consequently, last Friday when Commissioner Rossotti and I met, we agreed that the cause of IRS reform would best be served by focusing on solutions and not adjudications of the specific problems we've heard during the course of our oversight. I suggest that these matters be referred to the General Accounting Office, in the short-term, and thereafter be assigned for further investigation by the new Inspector General for Tax Administration, which is contained in the legislation the Senate is expected to act on next week. Today we will focus on solutions to the serious concerns our oversight has raised, rather than address specific cases. This is the best use of our time and will be most productive to the accomplishment of our objectives. There is a second purpose to these oversight hearings.
Oversight is a painful process.
It means focusing on the things that are wrong. It means seeing things you wouldn't wish to see and hearing things you'd prefer not to hear. But once that process is underway real change becomes possible. I think that all of us have a better understanding of the problems with the IRS than we did only nine months ago. Commissioner Rossotti, you have one of the toughest jobs in Washington.