Providing for Consideration of H. Res. 565, Appointment of Special Counsel to Investigate Internal Revenue Service

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. TERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the rule. Now, I think tyranny is worth discussing because when we look at what we are here to do today, it is to declare Lerner in contempt.

There is nothing more uniquely un-American than abusing the public's trust to target fellow countrymen based on their political beliefs. This is something--when you target your political enemies--that Lerner did and the IRS did, and you reward by expediting the President's own political operation. So you punish your enemies and you reward your friends--this is Soviet-style governance.

I would think everyone on both sides of the aisle would be very, very vociferous in opposition to what the IRS was doing to the American public. We only hear criticism now from the other side of our proceeding. My friends on the other side of the dais have, no doubt, viewed this as a partisan witch-hunt. But let there be no mistake: we would not be here today if Ms. Lerner had not conducted her own partisan witch-hunt.

What Lois Lerner did is completely un-American, and it undermines the very fundamentals of the principles of what this country is founded upon; and if we don't hold Lois Lerner accountable for her actions--and this is about accountability in the government--then we are sending a message to future administrations that this type of Nixonian behavior is acceptable. Let's not send that message.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source