Jason Smith

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Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 9498, the Taxpayer Advocate Participation Act, introduced by Representative Steube. As the title suggests, the National Taxpayer Advocate exists to champion the interests of American taxpayers and act as their voice to ensure fair treatment. There is currently one place where the advocate is forbidden from expressing those views directly: a court of law. That is because current law generally only allows Department of Justice personnel to represent the interests of the United States and its citizens in cases before the courts. This means that when the interests of American taxpayers are being litigated and the outcome could impact the rights of taxpayers, the individual whose job it is to advocate on behalf of those taxpayers is not allowed to do so. Representative Steube has made it his mission to advance the interests of American taxpayers. It is fitting that he is leading the charge to give the National Taxpayer Advocate another tool to support taxpayers: the ability to file amicus briefs in court. To be clear, this authority is specifically tailored to ensure the advocate can take such action only in cases where the issue being litigated would broadly affect taxpayer rights. This bill received unanimous support in the Ways and Means Committee, and I look forward to advancing it through the House. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.