Today, Rep. Matt Salmon (AZ-05) issued the following statement upon passage of two key pieces of legislation to address the targeting of conservative organizations by the IRS:
"After months of being stonewalled by former IRS official Lois Lerner, the House voted on a resolution to find her in contempt of Congress for her refusal to comply with a subpoena. Sunlight is the best disinfectant and I am disappointed in Ms. Lerner's refusal to answer questions about the IRS's actions targeting Americans and conservative organizations. Moving forward, I hope she will choose the path of cooperation, instead of obstruction and work with the committee to get the American people the answers they deserve.
"Last May, I called for Attorney General Eric Holder to appoint a special prosecutor for the purpose of fully and independently investigating the targeting of conservative, non-profit groups by the Internal Revenue Service. Sadly, the Attorney General has refused to make an appointment, which is well within his purview. That is why I am pleased the House took up and passed a resolution to officially direct him to do so. Answers are long overdue and it is clear a special prosecutor is needed to investigate this scandal fully, fairly, without bias, or undue influence."
"Once again, this Administration is unwilling to give the American public the answers they deserve. As we move forward with these initiatives, my hope is that we can begin to restore the trust between the American people and their federal government."
Read Rep. Salmon's original letter calling for a special counsel here.
Rep. Salmon voted in favor of the following legislation:
H.Res. __ - Resolution Recommending that the House of Representatives find Lois G. Lerner, Former Director, Exempt Organizations, Internal Revenue Service, in contempt of Congress
H.Res. 565 - Calling on Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr., to appoint a special counsel to investigate the targeting of conservative non-profit groups by the Internal Revenue Service