Resolution to Impeach IRS Commissioner John Koskinen

Earlier this week, I cosponsored a resolution to begin proceedings to impeach Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner John Koskinen.

For far too long we have seen members of the Executive Branch violate the public trust and have absolutely no accountability whatsoever. Hardworking American taxpayers are fed up paying government bureaucrats who lie, destroy evidence, and are never held accountable. IRS Commissioner John Koskinen, I believe, has failed the American people, refused to comply with a congressional subpoena, and lied during testimony to protect those who committed misdeeds under his watch.

Koskinen violated the public trust by failing to comply with a congressional subpoena, resulting in destruction of key evidence when he failed to locate and preserve IRS records in accordance with a congressional investigation. Under his watch, the IRS then erased 422 backup tapes containing as many as 24,000 of Lois Lerner’s emails - key pieces of evidence in the investigation of illegal IRS targeting of conservative groups. His claim that the IRS turned over all the emails relevant to the congressional investigation was false. He also failed to notify Congress that key evidence was missing until months later.

In July, 51 members of Congress sent a letter to President Obama, calling for the removal of Commissioner Koskinen. The White House chose not to respond.