Burgess on Lois Lerner Contempt Vote: 'It is a Shame We Have Gotten to This Point'

Statement

Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX) today released the following statement in reaction to his support of the Lois Lerner Contempt of Congress resolution, which passed the House today:

"The IRS' targeting of certain political groups for more intense scrutiny profoundly shook America's trust in our federal agencies to work ethically, and it violated our constitutional rights. To then hinder the fundamental function of the Congress -- which is to investigate scandals like these -- is unacceptable. Holding someone in contempt of Congress means the individual obstructed the proceedings of Congress, and Ms. Lerner has done just that not once, but over and over. And what is worse, the Obama administration's Justice Department has given Ms. Lerner and the IRS a free pass to do so.

"It is a shame we have gotten to this point. Frankly, it is sad that officials at high-level agencies have resorted to low-level political posturing on what should be a cut-and-dry function of our government. Ms. Lerner's actions have done nothing to improve the negative perception and distrust the American people currently have of their government. It is time the IRS is held accountable for its deplorable actions."

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