IRS Backs Down on Proposed Rule

I released the following statement after the IRS announced it will scrap a proposed rule defining political activities of social welfare groups.

I’m glad the IRS has withdrawn their proposed rule and delayed a final decision pending further review, but that doesn’t mean we’ll stop closely monitoring their operations to ensure future IRS proposals are nonpartisan and fair. The IRS betrayed the trust of millions of Americans by discriminating based on political views. It’s time to hold the IRS accountable to the First Amendment.

The IRS had come under high scrutiny for its proposed rule to put forth its own definition of political activities because of inappropriate political targeting of primarily conservative groups.

I introduced legislation earlier this month addressing this very issue. H.R. 4593 prevents the IRS from creating its own definition to determine whether an organization is engaging in political activity, and instead provides a clear definition based on guidance from the bipartisan, independent Federal Election Commission (FEC). This bill will take politics out of the issue and allow for Americans to express their beliefs freely, without fear of discrimination by the Obama Administration.

In March, I voted to pass H.R. 3865, the Stop Targeting of Political Beliefs by the IRS Act, which would prevent the IRS from moving forward with their rule on political activity.