Dixie - In Memoriam
New member
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2009/01/61288598/1
"Sen. Charles E. Grassley, ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, is raising questions about a housekeeper who worked briefly for Treasury Secretary-nominee Timothy Geithner without proper immigration papers, and multiple years when Mr. Geithner didn't pay Social Security and Medicare taxes for himself," The Wall Street Journal is reporting.
The newspaper says the housekeeper's immigration papers expired during the time she was working for Geithner, but that she went on to get her green card. The taxes were not paid on income he received from the International Monetary Fund -- but when that was discovered during audits, Geithner "paid the taxes with interest."
According to the Journal:
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., has summoned committee members to his office this afternoon to air the matter ahead of any public confirmation hearing. ...
Obama aides said they didn't believe these issues would present a problem, given the minor nature of the infractions and the gravity of the role he has been nominated to take.
Update at 4:50 p.m. ET. More from Baucus. He says he is "disappointed," but wants to move forward with confirmation:
"I am disappointed in the errors found in Tim Geithner's tax returns and other information, but I am satisfied that Mr. Geithner has taken the steps necessary to fix these problems," Baucus says in a statement his office has given to reporters. "That's why I intend to move forward as soon as possible with a hearing on his nomination. The president-elect needs a Treasury secretary on day one. We have to roll up our sleeves and get this economy moving again for the American people, and Tim Geithner has the right combination of experience and skill for these difficult economic times. For these reasons, I continue to support his nomination to be the next secretary of the Treasury."
Update at 4:45 p.m. ET. Statements and documents from the committee.
Baucus and Grassley just released this joint statement:
"The Finance Committee is charged with the thorough vetting of all nominees whose confirmations fall under our jurisdiction.
"When errors or issues of concern are discovered, transparency is vital to allow members of the Committee and the entire Senate to fully review and assess the relevant information before hearings and votes occur. These documents are released to ensure such transparency.
"The Committee, and we as individual Senators, will continue to review Mr. Geithner’s tax returns and other information in advance of a nomination hearing."
The documents they refer to are here and here.
Update at 3:55 p.m. ET. Obama spokesman calls them "honest mistakes."
This statement from incoming White House press secretary Robert Gibbs was just released by President-elect Barack Obama's transition office:
"The President-elect chose Tim Geithner to be his Treasury secretary because he's the right person to help lead our economic recovery during these challenging times.
"He's dedicated his career to our country and served with honor, intelligence and distinction. That service should not be tarnished by honest mistakes, which, upon learning of them, he quickly addressed.
"He made a common mistake on his taxes, and was unaware that his part-time housekeeper's work authorization expired for the last three months of her employment. We hope that the Senate will confirm him with strong bipartisan support so that he can begin the important work of the country."
"Sen. Charles E. Grassley, ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, is raising questions about a housekeeper who worked briefly for Treasury Secretary-nominee Timothy Geithner without proper immigration papers, and multiple years when Mr. Geithner didn't pay Social Security and Medicare taxes for himself," The Wall Street Journal is reporting.
The newspaper says the housekeeper's immigration papers expired during the time she was working for Geithner, but that she went on to get her green card. The taxes were not paid on income he received from the International Monetary Fund -- but when that was discovered during audits, Geithner "paid the taxes with interest."
According to the Journal:
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., has summoned committee members to his office this afternoon to air the matter ahead of any public confirmation hearing. ...
Obama aides said they didn't believe these issues would present a problem, given the minor nature of the infractions and the gravity of the role he has been nominated to take.
Update at 4:50 p.m. ET. More from Baucus. He says he is "disappointed," but wants to move forward with confirmation:
"I am disappointed in the errors found in Tim Geithner's tax returns and other information, but I am satisfied that Mr. Geithner has taken the steps necessary to fix these problems," Baucus says in a statement his office has given to reporters. "That's why I intend to move forward as soon as possible with a hearing on his nomination. The president-elect needs a Treasury secretary on day one. We have to roll up our sleeves and get this economy moving again for the American people, and Tim Geithner has the right combination of experience and skill for these difficult economic times. For these reasons, I continue to support his nomination to be the next secretary of the Treasury."
Update at 4:45 p.m. ET. Statements and documents from the committee.
Baucus and Grassley just released this joint statement:
"The Finance Committee is charged with the thorough vetting of all nominees whose confirmations fall under our jurisdiction.
"When errors or issues of concern are discovered, transparency is vital to allow members of the Committee and the entire Senate to fully review and assess the relevant information before hearings and votes occur. These documents are released to ensure such transparency.
"The Committee, and we as individual Senators, will continue to review Mr. Geithner’s tax returns and other information in advance of a nomination hearing."
The documents they refer to are here and here.
Update at 3:55 p.m. ET. Obama spokesman calls them "honest mistakes."
This statement from incoming White House press secretary Robert Gibbs was just released by President-elect Barack Obama's transition office:
"The President-elect chose Tim Geithner to be his Treasury secretary because he's the right person to help lead our economic recovery during these challenging times.
"He's dedicated his career to our country and served with honor, intelligence and distinction. That service should not be tarnished by honest mistakes, which, upon learning of them, he quickly addressed.
"He made a common mistake on his taxes, and was unaware that his part-time housekeeper's work authorization expired for the last three months of her employment. We hope that the Senate will confirm him with strong bipartisan support so that he can begin the important work of the country."
