This editorial appeared in The Fresno Bee.
Before the U.S. Senate moves ahead on the confirmation of Timothy Geithner to be Barack Obama's treasury secretary, we need to find out a lot more about his tax problem.
Geithner apparently didn't pay $34,000 in Social Security and Medicare taxes from 2001 to 2004 while working for the International Monetary Fund.
Geithner, now president of the New York Federal Reserve, was on a fast track to being confirmed before the tax issue arose.
The symbolism of the cabinet official that oversees the IRS not paying his taxes was enough to slow down this nomination.
Washington insiders say Geithner will end up being confirmed by the Senate, but now his confirmation hearing won't be held until Wednesday. It was supposed to be completed before Obama is sworn in on Tuesday.
Geithner has been visiting with senators informally and he reportedly has been explaining the problem and the tax regulations that tripped him and his accountant up. These one-on-one meetings should help him get confirmed – unless more trouble arises.
To read the complete editorial, visit The Fresno Bee.