Opinion

IRS investigation continues until truth is known

By U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady

The investigation into IRS abuses continues, despite the politically charged announcement by the FBI that it doesn’t plan to file criminal charges in the corruption case where the federal tax enforcement agency targeted average Americans based on their political beliefs.

The FBI announcement was met with wide public skepticism. So was a hasty investigation this past summer by interim IRS commissioner Danny Werfel. He declared “no intentional wrongdoing” by the agency - and then admitted none of the principal figures in the scandal had been interviewed. He’s since been replaced.

To top it off, the person the Justice Department has named to lead their investigation is a campaign contributor to President Obama and the Democratic party.

The American people want to know the full truth. Who at the IRS targeted and harassed conservative groups and their donors? Who leaked private taxpayer information to the media, special interest groups and other federal agencies? Who initiated and approved this abuse of power, and why was it concealed for years from Congress and the public?

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Thankfully the House Ways & Means Committee I serve on is not controlled by the White House. Our ongoing investigation into IRS abuses is very much alive. Unlike the others, it won’t be a white wash.

Conducted jointly with the chief oversight committee in the House, our investigation quickly proved wrong the original White House claim that the abuses were conducted by ‘rogue agents’ in Cincinnati. The targeting started in Washington, D.C.

Our investigation also discredited White House claims that liberal groups were targeted. While conservative applications were selected by IRS officials in the Capitol for extra scrutiny, invasive questions and endless delays, “progressive” groups received timely approval of their tax exempt status. None were harassed.

Since then we’ve determined the IRS’s targeting of Americans based on their political beliefs was far more widespread than the agency originally admitted.

We’ve also uncovered evidence that shows that the IRS subjected conservative groups to surveillance. And we are questioning why - of the 1,000 violations of taxpayer privacy referred to the Justice Department over the past three years by the Inspector General - were only a handful prosecuted?

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As of today our investigators have reviewed 380,000 documents, 3,000 tax applications and conducted over 50 interviews with key IRS personnel. Unfortunately, the Obama administration continues to withhold critical information our committee has requested — including all communications from Lois Lerner, a central figure in the investigation.

Thoroughly and diligently our investigation will get to the truth wherever the evidence leads us. We’ll hold those responsible accountable to the full extent of the law, and ensure this never happens again.

We believe - I believe - this matters. The IRS holds the power to destroy families and businesses. And until recently it was seen as an agency independent of the White House and political influence. Sadly, that’s no longer true.

During the hearings that revealed the IRS abuses, I asked the question “Is this still America?” The full force of the federal government and the powerful IRS should never be used to silence the voices of average citizens who simply disagree with their government. That’s not freedom. That’s not our America.

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This weekend marks the 175th birthday of the Lone Star Flag whose birthplace is Montgomery, Texas. Dr. Charles B. Stewart lived in Montgomery when he led the committee appointed by Mirabeau Lamar tasked with designing a flag for the Republic of Texas. Today, it’s one of the most recognized flags in the world, representing a state known for our freedom and independence.

Congressman Kevin Brady is the Chairman of the Joint Economic Committee and senior member of the House Ways & Means Committee, where he chairs the Health subcommittee.