WASHINGTON, D.C.—After a brief 16 years of diligent contemplation, Senator Jim Justice (R-WV) and his wife, Cathy Justice, have heroically agreed to pay the $5 million in back taxes they had allegedly forgotten about since 2009—a timespan widely considered in Washington as ‘just a blink’ in the larger tax delinquency timeline.

The federal government, which recently sued the couple in an act widely acknowledged as ‘desperate optimism,’ has reportedly awarded the Justices with an official ‘Most Improved Payer’ ribbon and a congratulatory fruit basket. “We’re just glad Senator Justice finally noticed those seven hundred certified letters from the Treasury,” said IRS spokesperson Mandy Scribner. “We thought about spelling it out in hay bales on his front lawn, but figured that was too subtle.”

Legal experts are calling the Justices’ move a ‘fresh, bold approach to fiscal responsibility.’ “Honestly, the Justices were pioneers. Most Americans settle their tax debts in boring, predictable timeframes,” said West Virginia CPA Ron Plimpton. “But 16 years? That’s almost a Guinness World Record.”

Senator Justice explained his actions in a brief statement: “As soon as Cathy and I remembered to check the mail from the Obama administration, we wrote a check immediately. Turns out we had the money the whole time, it was just under the seat cushions in the family Suburban.”

Treasury officials confirmed they would consider naming the next IRS audit after Senator Justice if he can successfully dodge payment for another decade.