Tipton Votes to Stop IRS Attempts to Stifle Free Speech

Press Release

Today, Congressman Scott Tipton (R-CO) voted to protect free speech and prohibit the IRS from targeting conservative groups. The Stop Targeting of Political Beliefs by the IRS Act of 2014 (H.R. 3865), which passed the House, would prohibit the Administration from implementing proposed rules that would essentially codify the IRS practice of targeting conservative groups with unprecedented scrutiny.

"It was deplorable that the IRS targeted specific groups solely because they had different ideologies than the current Administration. This type of abuse and betrayal of trust by the government is completely unacceptable whether aimed at conservative groups, liberal groups, or any other group that's trying to express their point of view fully within the scope of the law. Now, to add insult to injury, the Administration is essentially trying to legalize this practice through a proposed rule that would no longer allow these non-profit groups--501(c)(4)s--to participate in civic activities including get out the vote efforts, voter registration or candidate forums," said Tipton. "For more than five decades these non-profit organizations have played an important role in educating voters and ensuring robust, fair and open discussion of the major issues and ideas of our time. I believe that we are better off as a nation when we have many voices from the full political spectrum engaged in the process. I'm proud to have voted today to stop this government-run-amuck attempt to stifle free speech, and urge my Senate colleagues to quickly take up this bill to join us in protecting the free exchange of opinions and ideas."

In 2010, the IRS began targeting certain 501(c)(4) organizations for additional surveillance and audits, as well as deliberately delayed processing the applications of certain groups applying for non-profit status. Subsequent investigations by the House Committee on Ways and Means uncovered that of the groups targeted for additional scrutiny by the IRS, 83 percent were politically conservative, and of those audited, 100 percent were conservative.

Source