Werfel released the report finding no evidence of political bias or intentional wrongdoing. | John Shinkle/POLITICO IRS chief hit for 'incomplete' report

The new leader of the embattled IRS is facing criticism from congressional Republicans for releasing an “incomplete” report on the agency’s response to the tea party targeting scandal.

At a hearing on the report Thursday, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp slammed Daniel Werfel for concluding that politics didn’t play a role in the now-defunct practice of providing extra scrutiny to conservative groups applying for a tax exemption. The Michigan Republican was especially incensed at Werfel’s request for an additional $1 billion in funding for the agency.


“It is insulting to taxpayers that the IRS would ask for an additional $1 billion right after we find out that the IRS was targeting taxpayers for their beliefs,” Camp said. “Until the IRS proves that it can responsibly manage its current funds, the IRS will not see one more dime in taxpayer funding.”

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Werfel said the report he released on Monday was just an initial review and that more information will be released over time.

But Camp questioned why Werfel would release a report finding no evidence of political bias or intentional wrongdoing if the review isn’t yet complete.

“This is not necessarily an initial conclusion but an incomplete one,” Camp said. “I really don’t see how you reached that.”

Thursday’s hearing comes as Democrats are trying to change the narrative of the IRS scandal by asserting the liberal groups faced the same treatment as conservative groups seeking tax-exempt status.

The panel’s top Democrat, Rep. Sander Levin, is asking the inspector general to broaden its review of the IRS to determine if liberal groups were asked invasive questions about donors or had their applications delayed.

“The failure of the IG’s audit to acknowledge these facts is a fundamental flaw in the foundation of these investigations and the public perception of this issue,” Levin said.