Hall Fights IRS Political Targeting of Conservative Groups

Statement

This week Congressman Ralph Hall (TX-04) voted in support of three bills to protect conservative groups from IRS political targeting. These votes continue Republican efforts begun last Congress after Lois Lerner, Director of the IRS Exempt Organizations Division, admitted to political targeting at the IRS. In addition, Rep. Hall joined Republican Study Committee (RSC) members in a public statement against the IRS's new proposed rule that would stifle conservative groups' right to free speech and peaceful assembly.

"Over the past four years, the Administration's IRS agents have abused their power and bullied American taxpayers," stated Hall. "They have admittedly targeted conservative groups as far back as February 2010. The IRS's recently proposed rules are a clear sign that this fight is far from over. Already, agents have blocked applicants from forming conservative groups. These proposed new rules work to incapacitate conservative groups that were approved by preventing these groups from holding education initiatives for their members, voter registration efforts, and get-out-the-vote drives."

"The IRS's blatant disregard to the First Amendment is appalling and intolerable. The freedoms of religion, speech, free press, and peaceful assembly are the bedrock of our Great Nation. I will continue to aggressively fight the IRS's unlawful actions to stifle Americans' rights to their own political, religious, and social beliefs."

Source