Baucus Urges Confirmation of Tax Court Nominations

Finance Chairman Says Nominees Will Help Ensure Tax Laws are Administered Fairly

Washington, DC – At a Senate Finance Committee hearing held today, Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) urged his fellow committee members to approve the nominations of Ronald Buch and Albert Lauber to be judges on the United States Tax Court.  Senator Baucus said the nominees, who have decades worth of experience in tax law, would maintain the Tax Court’s record of providing an important venue for taxpayers to resolve legitimate disputes with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

“Mr. Buch and Mr. Lauber will play essential roles ensuring U.S. tax laws are administered fairly,” said Senator Baucus.  “Both nominees have strong backgrounds in tax law and will use their experiences to ensure that taxpayers can make their voices heard.”

Senator Baucus discussed how Buch’s experience as a tax attorney with the IRS Office of Chief Counsel and as an adjunct law professor at Georgetown University Law Center would provide unique insight as a judge on the Tax Court.  Buch received a B.BA. from Northwood University, a J.D. from Michigan State University College of Law, and an LL.M. in Taxation from Capital University Law School.

Senator Baucus also spoke about the significance of Lauber’s time as Director of the Graduate Tax and Securities Programs at the Georgetown University Law Center.  From 1983 to 1988, Lauber served as Deputy Solicitor General and as a Tax Assistant to the Solicitor General in the U.S. Department of Justice.  He was a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Harry A. Blackmun and Judge Malcolm R. Wilkey of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, and he has experience in tax law in the private sector.  He received a B.A. and a J.D. from Yale University and Master’s degrees from Clare College and Cambridge University.

The United States Tax Court hears a variety of tax law-related cases and gives taxpayers a dedicated venue to dispute IRS claims.  As judges on the Tax Court, Buch and Lauber would help ensure the impartial administration of the nation’s tax laws.

The Finance Committee will meet at a later date to vote on the nominations.  If the committee approves the nominations, they will then move to the full Senate for consideration and a confirmation vote.

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