Tom Daschle makes repeated apologies for tax issue.
Wired PR News.com – Obama’s choice for the Secretary of Health and Human Services Cabinet post, Tom Daschle, made repeated apologies on Monday for his $120,000 back tax debt. As reported by the Associated Press (AP), Daschle apologized as members of the Senate prepared to begin deliberations on whether to confirm his nomination.
President Barack Obama and some members of the Senate expressed support for the Health Secretary nominee citing that he made a serious mistake, but it could be explained rationally. Daschle is quoted as stating, “It was completely inadvertent, but that’s no excuse…I apologize to President Obama, to my colleagues and to the American people.” Daschle is further quoted as remarking, “I disclosed this information to the committee voluntarily and paid the taxes and any interest owed promptly…My mistakes were unintentional.”
In regards to his nomination, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs is quoted as stating, “We still think he’s the best person to do health care reform and shepherd a very complicated process through Congress to achieve savings and cut costs for the American people.”