Reichert Statement on IRS Discrimination

Press Release

Rep. Dave Reichert (R-WA) released the following statement on the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) admission on Friday that it had specifically singled out conservative groups when processing applications for tax-exemption.

"I was appalled to learn of the IRS's blatant abuse of power in targeting conservative groups in processing tax-exempt applications. No group, regardless of political affiliation, should have their right to free speech threatened by the IRS. Even more troubling is the fact that the IRS had repeatedly denied, despite numerous inquiries by the Ways and Means Committee, that this sort of targeting was taking place. The IRS's conduct in this matter has been unacceptable, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to find out what the IRS knew, when it knew it, and the officials responsible for such discrimination. The IRS must be held accountable for its actions."

Background

In a statement released Friday, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) announced that the Committee will hold a hearing on the matter in the weeks ahead.

Congressman Reichert has been a Member of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee since 2009. During the 113th Congress, Reichert serves as Chair of the Ways and Means Tax Reform Working Group on Tax Exempt Organizations and the Charitable Deduction. Reichert's prior work in the oversight of tax exempt organizations includes a 2011 report on the commercial and political activities of AARP.

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