A 19-year veteran staff member of the House Appropriations Committee took the blame for a controversial appropriations rider that would have allowed staffers to look at anyone's tax return but said he was "dumbfounded" by the uproar it generated.

Richard E. Efford told The Washington Post the language was necessary to determine whether the IRS was using funds appropriately. He said the IRS wouldn't let outsiders look at a $1 billion computer system and other improvements due to privacy issues surrounding personal tax returns. The rider alleviated those concerns, he said.

The provision was inserted without the knowledge of top lawmakers, leading the Senate to repeal it from the 2005 omnibus appropriations act. The House will return to work on Monday to remove the rider.

Get the Story:
Aide Takes Blame for Tax Return Provision (The Washington Post 12/3)
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Funding Tables:
BIA-OST | IHS

Bill Language:
BIA | OST | IHS/IAIA/NMAI

Statements on Funding:
BIA-OST | IHS/IAIA

Consolidated Appropriations Act:
Bill Text | Joint Explanatory Statement | HR 4818

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