It’s Time The IRS Is Held Accountable

When the American people learned the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) targeted political groups for extra scrutiny, shockwaves were sent across the country. Not only do these actions represent an arrogant abuse of power, but they also violated the public’s trust.

Political targeting is not a Republican or Democrat issue. It is absolutely unacceptable for a government official to consider the political leanings of any taxpayer when conducting official business. If it is determined that a federal employee did in fact engage in targeting, they should be relieved of their duties. It is that simple.

In 1998, Congress enacted the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act. This legislation allows for the immediate termination of IRS employees who engage in the so-called “10 Deadly Sins” against taxpayers. Unfortunately, while the legislation covers many offenses it did not include political targeting. I am confident its omission was simply an oversight.

That is why I introduced the Prevent Targeting at the IRS Act. This legislation authorizes the IRS to terminate employees who target individuals based on their political beliefs by adding political targeting to the list of fireable offenses, or 10 Deadly Sins, at the IRS.

Unfortunately, failure of leadership and lack of accountability at the IRS remains. Just last week, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration revealed the IRS rehired hundreds of employees with records of misconduct or performance issues. This includes employees with a history of unpaid taxes, unauthorized access to taxpayer information, falsification of official forms, and unfiled tax returns. This is a government agency that expects all hardworking Americans to file their tax returns on time, yet it employs those who don’t file returns at all? The IRS is not above the law, and it’s time Congress reminds them of it.

Though it has been nearly two years since we first learned of the initial abuses at the IRS, the American people’s lack of trust in the federal agency remains – and rightly so. The Prevent Targeting at the IRS Act is commonsense legislation that brings the accountability the American people expect and deserve, and I expect it to move swiftly through the legislative process.

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