McConnell, Boehner To IRS: Ditch Rule That Muzzles Tea Party

by JASmius

....or else....what?:

Top Republicans in the House and the Senate insist the Obama administration is using new proposed IRS rules to continue its "harassment and intimidation" of conservative groups, and they are calling on the new IRS Commissioner to abandon the plans.

In a joint letter issued Wednesday to IRS Commissioner John Koskinen, House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell also contend that, much like the agency's targeting of tea party groups which stifled their influence in the last two election cycles, the latest round of rules are a new attempt to silence them in the run-up to the 2014 elections....

"It is our view that finalizing this proposed rule would make intimidation and harassment of the administration's political opponents the official policy of the IRS and would allow the Obama Administration to use your agency as a partisan tool," the lawmakers wrote in the letter signed by nine other colleagues.

The new IRS rules would prevent 501(c)(4) tax-exempt groups from running television ads, organizing get-out-the-vote efforts and voter registration drives, and handing out literature on political issues.

The GOP lawmakers contend the new rules amount to an assault by the administration on First Amendment rights.

"You are now left with a simple choice," they wrote. "Reform the IRS and root out any hint of corruption or targeting of political opponents, starting by withdrawing this proposed rule, or allow the administration to use the agency as a means to infringe on the constitutionally protected right to free speech."

In the letter the lawmakers also say that congressional investigators have uncovered evidence that the draft rules had been under consideration for at least two years, "suggesting a political motivation well outside the bounds of the agency's mission."

So "what" is a not particularly stern letter?  One that doesn't even hint at consequences?  Uh-uh.  How about this: "You are now left with a simple choice.  Reform the IRS and root out any hint of corruption or targeting of political opponents, starting by withdrawing this proposed rule, or we will defund your agency.  Period."

This is all-out political war.  So why not deploy our WMDs?  What are the Dems going to do, force another government shutdown over their "right" to muzzle and oppress their opponents in fiery disregard of the First Amendment?  What reason could there possibly be for Republicans not to relish and revel in that confrontation?  It's not like the IRS is a beloved institution behind which the public will rally.  And the First Amendment is a portion of the Bill of Rights that most Americans have heard of and actually kinda-sorta believe in.

Plus, this would go a long way in getting the Tea Party off the "establishment's" back.  It's a win-win proposition.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Minority Leader, press that red button.  Defund the IRS.  You won't regret it.