Press Release

Washington, DC –Congressman Sam Johnson (R-TX) released the following statement on Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp’s (R-MI) bill that would block for one year the Department of Treasury (Treasury) proposed 501(c)(4) regulations issued last November.  The regulations come on the heels of the ongoing investigation of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) targeting of conservative groups.

“Instead of punishing the IRS for wrongly targeting conservative organizations, the Obama Administration seems to want to continue the job with its onerous rules that will only restrict Americans’ fundamental freedom to participate in the democratic process.  That’s just wrong, this is America!  As lawmakers, we have a responsibility to stand up and protect every American’s First Amendment right.  Congress must work to ensure that political targeting never happens again, whether it comes from the IRS or any other government agency.  Chairman Camp’s bill along with my simple 4-page bill, making jail time mandatory for any federal worker involved in political targeting, is a step in that direction.”

Johnson’s bill, H.R. 2557, the Imprisonment for Tax Targeting of American Act of 2013, would make jail time mandatory for any federal employee involved in political targeting, unauthorized inspection of returns or unauthorized disclosure of information.  Currently, the tax code includes a number of criminal offenses such as the unauthorized release and inspection of tax returns as well as political targeting.  However, jail time for such offenses is optional.  This legislation is in response to the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) blatant abuse of power by targeting Americans based on their political beliefs.  

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