Ander Crenshaw Looks to Reform IRS, Stop Political Abuse

U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, R-Fla., will be looking to ensure the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) increases transparency and stays out of politics on Wednesday.

Crenshaw, the chairman of the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee, will be leading a meeting on Wednesday as Congress listens to testimony from the IRS. The First Coast congressman will be pushing the IRS for more transparency and to ensure the IRS does not target political activists. The IRS was in the news last year for going after conservatives and the tea party movement.

No time of the year turns a focus on how much hard-earned money Americans are sending to Washington more than tax season, said Crenshaw on Tuesday. As individuals, families, and businesses calculate how much money they are sending to the IRS, Congress must do its part to try and straighten this agency out. The IRS must be held accountable for its operations and use taxpayer dollars effectively: thats the bottom line. Over the past year, we have witnessed the IRS abuse its authority by singling out taxpayers based on political belief, not to mention spending millions of dollars on lavish conferences. Neither has a place in our society in this day and age.

Following a series of hearings in 2013 before the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee, tough recommendations were made to correct this behavior, but Congress can and should do more. Crenshaw continued. I will continue to ask tough questions when IRS Commissioner John Koskinen appears before the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee on Capitol Hill on Wednesday.

Crenshaw pointed to four bills concerning the IRS which are on the House floor this week. The bills include efforts to increase transparency in the IRS, stop the IRS from asking about Americans religious, political and social beliefs, and ensure the agency cant target political groups.

I support the additional, common-sense measures that are on the House floor this week, Crenshaw said. They will provide citizens with the security, transparency, and accountability from the IRS. I hope they earn the full support they deserve and quickly pass the House.