Enzi, Barrasso Join Fight To Prevent IRS Targeting

Press Release

U.S. Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, both R-Wyo., recently joined 33 of their Republican colleagues in introducing a bill that would preserve free speech and prevent the IRS from targeting politically aligned groups. The effort is led by Senators Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., and Pat Roberts, R-Kan.

The Stop Targeting of Political Beliefs by the IRS Act would protect the free speech rights of 501(c)(4) organizations by prohibiting the finalization of a proposed Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulation that would significantly limit the advocacy and educational activities of these groups until February 2017. The bill would also prevent additional targeting of 501(c)(4) organizations by restoring the IRS 501(c)(4) standards and definitions that were in place before the start of the agency's targeting of conservative groups in 2010.

"What the IRS did in targeting conservative groups was wrong and should not happen in this country," said Enzi. "American citizens shouldn't have to worry that a rogue government agency will target them for their political activities or views. It's disappointing that we need to take action to preserve such a basic American value."

"The IRS already has an outrageous history of targeting Americans based on their political beliefs--now they want to issue new regulations that will further limit free speech in this country," said Barrasso. "This important legislation will make sure the IRS can't continue to target and harass people in Wyoming and across the country in the future."

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