Byrd Votes Against Geithner's Senate Confirmation - WOWK-TV

WASHINGTON -- West Virginia Senator Robert C Byrd (D-WV) voted against the confirmation of Timothy Geithner's Senate Confirmation for Secretary of Treasury citing the nominee's snafus with his own taxes.

Despite the nay votes, Geithner confirmation passed the senate Monday night 60-34 with four not voting.

Geithner came under fire earlier this month when it was revealed his 2002 to 2006 taxes were not properly filed. In all Geithner has paid already $25,000 in back taxes with more expected to be paid.

Following the vote, Sen. Byrd issued his reason for voting against Geithner.

"While I believe Mr. Geithner when he expressed regret for his failure to pay these taxes, he doesn't explain why the failure happened," Byrd said. "This embarrassing ‘mistake’ occurred despite Mr. Geithner’s receiving annual and quarterly documents from the IMF and signing annual tax allowance requests that were supposed to serve as reminders about his tax obligations. He also failed to pay these taxes despite having accountants review his tax filings, and despite using software to prepare his tax returns. Had he not been nominated for Treasury Secretary, it’s doubtful that he would have ever paid these taxes.”

Geithner was sworn in as the new Treasury Secretary around 7 p.m. in Washington.

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) voted in favor of Geithner.

This confirmation vote is a disgusting display of politics as usual. Obama has lost credibility by failing to withdraw his nomination of Geithner upon learning that he was a tax cheat. I would like to know why he (Geithner) was not prosecuted for tax evasion. As I understant it, he failed to pay taxes for four years (2001 -2004). As Secretary of the Treasury, Geithner will supervise the Commissioner of Revenue. How could he, in good conscience, oversee the organization that investigates and refers cases to DOJ for prosecution under criminal provisions of law. If Obama sees no problem with tax evasion, perhaps none of us should willingly pay our taxes, too. If we get caught up by IRS, we simply pay what's owed and all is forgiven??? If Geithner is forgiven, we should all be treated accordingly.

Well, we already got Rangel in Ways and Means and he doesn't pay his taxes. And we got Frank in finance and he shilled for Freddie and Fannie for years. So this just completes the picture.

Foxes guarding the henhouse.

I agree with Senator Byrd. This is the Treasury Secratary who is going to be managing IRS and he did'nt pay his payroll taxes on time. I am an independent contrator and though I am not an accountant, I knew I had to pay my payroll taxes myself. I don't think you should knowingly confirm a guy who broke the law for the sake of expediancy. I don't buy the answer that no one is more qualified at this point in time.

Fatima

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