Crapo Statement at Hearing on Nominees for HHS, IRS and the U.S. Tax Court

Washington, D.C.— U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) delivered the following remarks at a hearing to consider nominees for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the U.S. Tax Court. As prepared for delivery: “Thank you to our nominees, Mr. Klomp, Mr. Gadwood, Dr. Bai and Mr. De Mello for being here today. Congratulations on your nominations and thank you all for your willingness to serve. “Today, the Finance Committee will consider four nominees who, if confirmed, will serve in important roles across the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the United States Tax Court. “We will first hear from Chris Klomp, who is nominated to be Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services. “The Deputy Secretary serves as the Department’s second highest-ranking official and assists the Secretary in overseeing HHS programs, operations and policy priorities. “HHS administers programs that affect millions of Americans, including those eligible for Medicare, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. If confirmed, Mr. Klomp will play an important role in coordinating the Department’s work and ensuring these programs are administered effectively. “Next, we will hear from Jim Gadwood, who is nominated to serve as Chief Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service and an Assistant General Counsel in the Department of the Treasury. “The IRS Chief Counsel serves as the principal legal advisor to the IRS and provides legal guidance on the administration and enforcement of our nation’s tax laws. “The Chief Counsel also oversees the representation of the IRS in litigation before the United States Tax Court. “We will then hear from Dr. Ge Bai, who is nominated to serve as Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation at the Department of Health and Human Services. “The Assistant Secretary serves as the principal advisor to the Secretary on policy development and provides analysis across a broad range of health and human services issues. “The office is responsible for policy coordination, strategic planning, economic analysis, research and evaluation, and legislative development. If confirmed, Dr. Bai will help provide HHS leadership with the research and evidence necessary to inform the development and evaluation of Department policies and programs. “Finally, we will hear from Andrew De Mello, who is nominated to serve as a Judge of the United States Tax Court. “The Tax Court provides taxpayers with an independent judicial forum to resolve disputes with the IRS, generally before the disputed tax is required to be paid. “Tax Court judges are responsible for interpreting and applying federal tax law and ensuring disputes receive fair and impartial consideration. “Each of these positions carries significant responsibilities and I look forward to discussing these important roles with our nominees today. “Before closing, I will note that nominees before the Finance Committee undergo significant vetting by congressional staff and each of the nominees here today have met the Committee’s vigorous vetting standard. “I thank all of the nominees for their willingness to participate in the Committee’s nominations process, meet with Committee staff prior to today’s hearing and answer their questions. I also thank you for your willingness to answer questions from Committee members during today’s hearing. “Thank you again to our nominees for being here and for your willingness to serve.” ###