IRS phone system fails millions of taxpayers amid health law funding cuts
IRS data shows over 8 million taxpayers were disconnected or stuck on hold this filing season as budget cuts reduced service. Only about 40 percent reached an agent, with average waits exceeding 30 minutes. lawmakers criticize shifting $134 million from customer service to other programs while the agency cites legal mandates and staff shortages.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
IRS
Barack Obama
John Koskinen
Koskinen
House
Ways and Means
Kristi Noem
South Dakota
Congress
Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee
Supreme Court eases FTCA deadlines in landmark ruling
The court, by 5 to 4, allowed extensions to suit against the federal government for negligence if the plaintiff tried to comply or lacked timely information. Justice Kagan authored the majority, rejecting an ironclad view of time limits and noting FTCA time rules are flexible. The decision may affect veterans and medical malpractice claims against the government.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Supreme Court
Elena Kagan
9Th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
Kagan
Anthony Kennedy
Obama
Samuel Alito
John Roberts
Antonin Scalia
Clarence Thomas
Alito
Phoenix
Marlene June
June
Federal Highway Administration
Hong Kong
Immigration and Naturalization Service
Oregon
Kwai Fun Wong
INS
Congress freezes salary at 174000 for seventh straight year
Congress keeps its pay at 174000 as lawmakers deny the annual cost of living raise for a seventh consecutive year. The move accompanies funding legislation for the upcoming budget year and recalls reforms from 1989 linking pay boosts to abandoning outside pay for speeches.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Congress
House
Benghazi panel may push final report to 2016
House Benghazi committee chair Trey Gowdy said delays from the Obama administration and witness availability could push the final report into 2016. Speaker Boehner criticized lack of cooperation, saying the panel could finish sooner if documents and witnesses were provided.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Benghazi
Libya
Hillary Clinton
Obama
U.S
Trey Gowdy
South Carolina
Gowdy
Jamal Ware
House
John Boehner
West Chester
Clinton
Boehner
Republicans push surveillance extension amid Patriot Act expiry
Senate leaders Mitch McConnell and Richard Burr introduced a bill to renew NSA access to most Americans calling records, bypassing committees. The measure would reauthorize Patriot Act sections including mandatory data collection by phone companies. Aiming to preempt June 1 expiration, supporters and critics clash over civil liberties and national security.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Senate
National Security Agency
Majority
Mitch McConnell
Intelligence Committee
Richard Burr
NSA
Edward Snowden
Barack Obama
House
Also Mentioned on This Page
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Associated Press
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