Approval of New Head of IRS Seems Likely

Already complaining about budget cuts

President Barack Obama's choice to head the Internal Revenue Service told senators Tuesday he will work to restore public trust in the agency in the wake of the tea party scandal even as the IRS takes on new responsibilities administering the president's health care law.

At the same time, John Koskinen warned that budget cuts are threatening the agency's ability to effectively collect revenue and enforce the nation's tax laws.

"In every area of the IRS, taxpayers need to be confident that they will be treated fairly, no matter what their background or their affiliations," Koskinen told the Senate Finance Committee. "Public trust is the IRS' most important and valuable asset."