Senator Ted Cruz announced that he is reintroducing two bills to protect Americans from being politically targeted by the IRS.
The first bill would prohibit IRS employees from targeting individuals or groups based upon their political views. The second bill would alter the tax code to allow the Federal Election Commission’s definition to decide if an organization is participating in political activity.
Cruz has emphasized that taxation is the responsibility of the IRS. It’s purpose is not intended to be political or to be used as an ideological weapon against Americans.
“In May 2013 President Obama declared the IRS’s illegal targeting of conservative groups ‘intolerable and inexcusable,’ yet to this date no one has been held accountable for it,” Sen. Cruz said. “The IRS has no business meddling with the First Amendment rights of Americans. Rather than further stifling free speech, the IRS and the Department of Justice should provide the American people with all the facts surrounding the IRS’s targeting of certain organizations based on their political activity.”
The Texas Senator has been a vocal opponent of the IRS and it’s politically motivated actions. Earlier this month, Senator Cruz called for the IRS to be abolished. He made a tongue in cheek remark recommending sending the employees of the IRS to the southern border.
Senator Cruz also stated that he will be asking Attorney General nominee, Loretta Lynch about the IRS targeting citizens and groups who have disagreed with the President at her confirmation hearings.
“I look forward to Ms. Lynch’s responses to these very important issues at her upcoming confirmation hearings. We should all agree the IRS should not be used as a tool for partisan warfare.”
Cruz introduced similar legislation as amendments to a bill last February but the Democrats stood with the IRS tactics under Lois Lerner and opposed the amendments.
What would you ask Loretta Lynch at her confirmation hearings?