WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) today called on Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner John Koskinen to stop all action on proposed 501(c)(4) regulations that will allow targeting of groups and would limit free speech.

“This is a deliberately designed abuse of federal resources and enforcement powers for purely political purposes,” Roberts said, “Part of a larger pattern of this administration using the IRS to shut down its critics and opponents. There is a common sense solution to all of this. Stop all action on the proposed 501(c)(4) regulations until we know what went on, who was involved, what the implications of this are, and how we can address the issues raised and hold people accountable.”

Roberts made the remarks at a hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance. Audio and video here.

Roberts and Senator Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) have introduced a bill with 40 cosponsors to stop the IRS rules from proceeding. For more on the bill go here.

The following are Senator Roberts’ remarks in Committee as prepared for delivery:

“Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the opportunity this morning to discuss tax return preparer regulation with officials of the IRS.

“However, I have pledged to not rest until we understand the IRS’ recent actions targeting conservative social welfare organizations, the 501(c)(4)s.

“Mr. Koskinen, when you visited with me last year prior to your confirmation, you told me that you thought it was your role to clean up the IRS and get the agency back on track in regards to the processing of exemption applications and the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, both monumental tasks.

“You said that your longer-term goal was to restore the IRS’ reputation and integrity on these and other functions.

“I have to tell you, you still have a long way to go, and I am very concerned, disturbed, in fact, that you are heading in the wrong direction.

“Every meeting I hold in Kansas, every town hall, a major point of discussion is the political activities of the IRS.

“Folks are concerned – mad – that the IRS is continuing to attack their right to participate in the political process – that the agency is working hard to stifle the free speech rights of groups that differ in their views from the president.

“They are mad, they are worried, and they want this mess cleaned up. They want people held accountable for these actions.

“But all they see, and I see it too, more so given your recent statements in the House, is a deliberate stalling of the investigation.

“I see also verbal gymnastics designed to downgrade this problem.

“You have been taking a very measured approach, carefully remarking that – at its heart – this is an issue of the IRS using “inappropriate criteria” in processing these exemption applications.

“Yet, it’s very clear, and even you said this prior to your confirmation, that the IRS was targeting certain groups during the exemption application process.

“Clearly, contrary to your finely calibrated statements, this is an example of the politization of a crucial federal agency.

“I would go farther.

“This is a deliberately designed abuse of federal resources and enforcement powers for purely political purposes -- part of a larger pattern of this administration using the IRS to shut down its critics and opponents.

“This is the source of my anger, the anger I hear daily in Kansas. What are you doing to address all this?

Senator Roberts is a member of the Senate Committee on Finance.

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