Mullin Votes to Protect Personal Privacy

Press Release

Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-02) voted Tuesday in favor of H.R. 5053, the Preventing IRS Abuse and Protecting Free Speech Act. The bill prohibits the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from requiring non-profit organizations to disclose the personal information of contributors.

"The IRS has no business requiring non-profit organizations to tell them who gave money," says Mullin. "This is just another way that big government is trying to pry into the lives of Americans."

Under the current tax law, non-profit organizations are required to submit a form to the IRS listing the names and addresses of their donors. This information potentially allows the IRS to target citizens based on their contributions.

"The IRS under the Obama administration has become extremely political," said Mullin. "They have admitted to targeting conservative groups in the past, and this bill will cut off one avenue they have to do that."

One group who supports H.R. 5053 is Americans for Tax Reform. According to an article on their website, "Protecting free speech is an issue that should be supported by members and groups regardless of political affiliation. Refusing to act against IRS abuse opens the door to future administrations doing the same regardless of whether they are Democrat or Republican."

Mullin also added that what people do with their hard earned money should not be any of the governments business.

"If a farmer in south-eastern Oklahoma wants to give money to a charity, they shouldn't be worried about receiving an audit next year because the IRS doesn't agree with that group's politics," Mullin said.

H.R. 5053 passed in the House by a vote of 240-182.

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