GOP Senators Call on IRS to Explain Tea Party Bullying
- Posted on March 14, 2012 at 7:52pm by
Christopher Santarelli
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Twelve GOP Senators have sent a letter to IRS Commissioner Douglas Schulman demanding answers to concerns that the agency may be targeting the Kentucky 9/12 Project specifically, in addition to other conservative-leaning groups.
“It is critical that the public have confidence that federal tax compliance efforts are pursued in a fair, even-handed, and transparent manner – without regard to politics of any kind,” wrote the Senators.
They continued, “It is imperative that organizations applying for tax-exempt status are able to rely on a consistent and foreseeable review structure from the IRS. Any significant changes to the IRS review process should be implemented only after appropriate notice and opportunity for comment from the public and affected parties.”
The move was pushed by Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch and Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, joined by Senators Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), John Cornyn (Texas), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), John Thune (R-S.D.), and Rand Paul (R-Ky.).
The Blaze reported in February that the Kentucky 9/12 group filed for non-profit status back in December of 2010. They finally heard back from the IRS on Valentines Day of this year. (A mere 14 months after they sent in an initial request.) Their return message was not in regards to any issues or concerns brought up in there original application, rather a letter requesting detailed documentation to answer 30 questions with sub-bullets (88 total separate inquiries) and only a two-week period to comply.
The Kentucky 9/12 Project said in a statement that what was even more alarming than the egregious request, was that their group was joined by close to 80 liberty groups from around the country that the IRS has targeted and is attempting to regulate out of existence.
The Senators closed their email with the request that Commissioner Shulman ”hold further IRS-initiated demands for information from 501(c)(4) applicants beyond the extensive information already required of all applicants (in Form 1024 and Schedule B), until the agency provides a response demonstrating these recent IRS requests are consistent with precedent and supported by law.”
“We know why these request are being made. The Obama administration is very aware of our voices and clearly desires to silence them,” Kentucky 9/12 Project Director Eric Wilson said in a statement.
“The federal government, through the IRS, is trying to intimidate citizens from freely assembling, from exercising free speech, and from exercising 1st Amendment Rights. Government intimidation and tyranny must not only fail but we need a full investigation to who initiated these attacks on law abiding citizens.”





















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Comments (108)
Oznogs
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 10:31pmJust wait! The IRS is going to be in charge of enforcing Odumbo Care! I recall something about 20,000 new agents to be hired, no doubt from the occupy weasles. Stop obama now! We don’t need him Winning.
Report Post »marhee9
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 11:15pmRight-on! This is getting so far out of hand. I heard they removed the OWS group from the watch list, the list that fro some reason still includes the Tea Party. These are indeed amazing times.
Report Post »http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMToF_H7rqM
TH30PH1LUS
Posted on March 15, 2012 at 2:31amThe IRS was created to fund the debt from the bloodiest war in American history – the “Civil” War. Americans slaughtering Americans. Towns and familes divided. This is the birthplace of the IRS.
Today the IRS tax code is 10 times longer than the Bible. It is UNFAIR, complex, and abusive.
America, we can do better. For the love of Liberty, can we rise up with one voice and demand the IRS be dissolved?
Report Post »4xeverything
Posted on March 15, 2012 at 6:13amI like the way you all rant.
Report Post »MYHEROISRON
Posted on March 15, 2012 at 7:45amI have totally lost my faith in the federal government, which has truly become the enemy of the American people.
Report Post »TAXEVERYONE
Posted on March 15, 2012 at 8:30amObama Soros 2012
Report Post »Wake up people.
Marine25
Posted on March 15, 2012 at 8:33amThe IRS or anybody else shrinking the tea party would be great news for the GOP and terrible news for Democrats. All the tea party has done is drag our candidates so far to the crazy right that Republicans are fast losing the middle class, independent voters, women, and college grads. Republicans and conservatives are fast becoming a laughingstock in middle America. Gallup showed Obama up 55-38 among independents and 60-31 among women. How could this happen? When every plank of the platform is designed to appease uneducated tea partiers and soothe Rush Limbaugh, regular Americans are going to start to think Republicans have lost their minds. I currently am working at a very conservative institution in the MOST conservative state and Republicans and the candidates and birthers and birth-controllers are the butt of jokes. These are educated, white, registered Republicans who have always supported the party, some since Nixon, and they are embarrassed by the tea party and by how petty and childish the party of Reagan has become.
Report Post »All thanks to…
TEA
Bloody Sam
Posted on March 15, 2012 at 10:19amNow…why does this sound so familiar? I’ve read something about this type of despotism before.
Where was that? Hmm…it went something like;
“He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance….
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation;”
It was some guy named George I think.
Report Post »Obama is doing a rather chilling impression of that chap’s routine.
OniKaze
Posted on March 15, 2012 at 11:04amDon’t forget about the Fed. buying each of those 20,000 agents Remington Tactical Shotguns.. Because when I think of an IRS agent going to work, I always think of how they:
1. Wake up Brush their teeth.
2. Get dressed to the nine’s (business attire)
3. Make yourself look nice and professional…
4. Eat breakfast with family
5. Grab briefcase, box of Ammo, and Shotgun..
6. Go and “collect taxes”….
Remember when NOT paying your taxes ended your butt in jail, and NOT in a hole with a stone roughly 6 ft. above your head. Ahhh… The good old days before the 4th Reich came into power…
Report Post »I support God's Israel!
Posted on March 15, 2012 at 1:50pmHey Theblaze:
DO YOU ALL HAVE SPELL-CHECK? It goes to your credibility and education:
“Their return message was not in regards to any issues or concerns brought up in there original application, ” IT SHOULD BE: brought up in THEIR original….”
Does anyone there PROOFREAD BEFORE YOU SEND IT TO PRESS (OR ONLINE)?
As for the story, SHAME ON THE IRS. SHAME ON OUR GOVERNMENT FOR WAITING THIS LONG. SHAME ON BARACK OBAMA FOR ALLOWING SO MANY THUGS IN THE WH.
Americans should be calling their politicians NOW, not tomorrow, but NOW. I AM GOING TO, RIGHT NOW!
Report Post »I support God's Israel!
Posted on March 15, 2012 at 2:12pmMarine25:
Oh thou fool….YOUNG FOOL If you really believe the TEA P is at fault, then you are no better than the progressives, blaming everyone but themselves for running our country into the ground. Your philosophy, like the Progressives is, BLAME SOMEONE ELSE for what you had a hand in. It is the RIGHT in this great country to exercise your right to free speech and assembly, or haven’t you heard – YET? Yet, you speak here freely, FOR NOW.
“Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women. When it dies there, no constitution, no law, no court can save it.” ….Justice Learned Hand.
AND THOSE WHO WANT TO PRESERVE TRUE LIBERTY, SUCH AS GLENN BECK, THE 9-12 PROJECT AND THE TEA PARTY, THE KIND YOU SEE BEING ASSAULTED TODAY, ARE TRYING TO KEEP YOUR RIGHT TO THAT FREE SPEECH YOU HAVE, IN WHATEVER YOU WANT TO SAY FOR, OR AGAINST. They will STOMP all over you to shut you up, IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH THEM.
However, if anyone is really worth their salt in the eyes of God and free man, would fight for the Constitution to their death. IT IS ALL WE HAVE LEFT, PEOPLE. THIS IS IT. THERE IS NOTHING ELSE OUT THERE THAT EVEN COMES CLOSE TO THE FREEDOMS WE HAVE. If you do not stand up and fight for ANYONE’S right to exercise their Constitutional right, then you are no better than the leftist who will kill you anyway FOR THE SPORT OF IT AND TO MAKE THEIR POINT. YOU MUST TAKE A STAND NOW.
Report Post »Salgofnir
Posted on March 15, 2012 at 3:58pmMarine25,
Since you neither a Republican nor Conservative what do you care. What part of the Tea Party platform are you afraid of? Does a small, fiscally responsible government scare you? Or maybe it’s the idea of personal responsibility. Go back and take a look at pictures of tea party rallies and compare those to the occupy movement that defecates on police cars. The vast majority of the people I know support the Tea Party. Any jokes are easily defeated with facts. The problem is we have allowed the liberal media to get away with out right lying about issues. They jump all over Rush yet say absolutely nothing about Mike Malloy or Randy Rhodes. You seem to know nothing about the birth control issue, I suggest you read up on the concept of self funded companies. And until you have watched a late term abortion, you cannot offer any intelligent commentary on the matter. The birthers are the same as the truthers, a small fringe group few take seriously. So, go on back over to MSNBC and listen to the intellectually handicapped Ed.
Report Post »wesley7
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 9:56pmPlease scream for the FAIR TAX often and loud the irs would be gone.
Report Post »with all the e filing has anyone asked why they havent had a RIF at the irs
just more time for incompetent folks to burn and get paid
jamestoms
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 9:36pmSenators after the IRS, sure, that’s Rich..Ha Ha Ha, thats a crook calling the kettle black, what a friggin joke, Senators, might as well be Cub Scouts!
Report Post »BlackBeaver
Posted on March 15, 2012 at 1:40pmSo Jamestoms, If not these Senators, who do you suggest is more appropriate to complain about this? Or do you think it is all right for the IRS to selectively pursue organizations or individuals solely because of their political beliefs?
Report Post »FANGS
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 9:33pmUnions and now the IRS ? Thats it, I’m ready to open fire when everyone else does. Lets get this over with.
Report Post »davrob1
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 10:09pmIt’s coming. Make no mistake. I’m ready. Is your family?
Report Post »Mary Just
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 9:28pmGo ahead cowardly Americans say nothing. Just wait until it is your turn.
Report Post »hugo65hsv
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 9:20pmDoes anyone think the IRS is going to listen or do anything about what the Republican Senators are asking.. Or will this be the last we hear of this.. I certainly hope not..
Report Post »Alucard
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 9:46pmIt all depends on the 2012 election. Everything seems to be in a holding pattern to see if they can move forward with these things or if people start to burn and run.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 9:12pmOver- regulation, appointing czars to weaken congress, name calling, blaming, occupying, intimidating ( SCOTUS in a State of the Union speech ) , and using executive orders are standard operating procedures for this Far Left Obama administration. Saul Alinsky influence ? Chicago politics ? Bill Ayers ? Who knows. But it is very un-American whatever the heck it is.
Report Post »BlackBeaver
Posted on March 15, 2012 at 1:44pmSome friends from the UK who visited recently have a name for it: Communism.
Report Post »whatthecrazy
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 9:01pmHow did people get this evil?
Report Post »Wilma
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 11:13pmHow did we become so complacent?
Report Post »Shasta
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 11:43pmI have been asking that question a lot lately.
Report Post »Captain Crunch
Posted on March 15, 2012 at 1:59amObama happened…brought all the craziness to the surface… You see the postings here. People are armed to the teeth ready to start killing other people. It’s not going to be pretty. Get ready. You’ve had many many months of warning. Summer 2012.
Report Post »BehindBlueEyes
Posted on March 15, 2012 at 6:20amYes, welcome to the Obama Nation. This is how things are done in Chi-Town.
Report Post »BlackCrow
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:59pmAnybody think that Romney would have the Tides Foundation or Media Matters audited? I doubt it.
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 9:28pmI don’t know, but I believe he is a genuinely good man who does not like injustice, and won’t tolerate it in an administration. I believe there would be wholesale firings in the executive branch. I also believe he will pick the best minds and best moral people for the jobs in his administrtion. I have already heard his response on some of the agency’s he would no longer allow to destroy the US. I would sure like to see what he could do to undo what damage has been done, as I believe he understands what’s at stake for our country. He get’s that we are at the place in time where we sink or swim as a free country. He, like all of us, has had a learning curve, has had to back up and think about things and realize where he was headed wasn’t right for the whole country that may have worked in a state or Olympics. I have had to admit I was wrong and change my mind on some things as life and age have changed me. I believe he can and will step up and be what this country needs. I’m not looking for an orator or charasmatic politiciam, I’m looking for real and decent strength. I’m voting Romney, even knowing it call down the wrath of hell on Mormons
Report Post »Shasta
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 11:50pmHey Jenny, I hope you are right. If he cleans out the State Dept. right away, that would be a great sign. Way too many career politicians in that joint for my liking.
Report Post »Bill Rowland
Posted on March 15, 2012 at 7:35amIts not just State that needs to be cleaned out,, what about the departments that have decided to regulate everything we do – Education, Labor, Education, Transportation, Homeland Security, IRS, etc. They issue regulations that are inforced like laws. They have no right to pass laws thats reserved for congress but congress won’t stand up to them.
Look at what Energy and Interior have done to our gas prices, no drilling, no pipelines, The oil companies got around them on fracking but the government will stop it very soon.
We have allowed our government to get bigger and bigger and regulations to get stricter and stricter. This has to stop and the IRS and the Tax Code is the place to start. Then start taking apart the other depts and reducing their powers.
We must elect congressmen with the cajones to stand up and start the ball rolling.
OMG
Report Post »338lapua
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:55pmIt is about time SOMEONE asked these fools what the he!! they were thinking!
Report Post »Tusker00
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:52pmAs Rush has stated before, when Clinton was in office, Rush got audited by the IRS for 8 straight years! When Bush got into office, no more audits! Imagine that? Don’t know about the past 3 B.O years,though.
Report Post »338lapua
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 9:05pmEVERY identifiable conservative has undergone the governmental strip search with cavity evacuation. Don’t kid yourself.
Report Post »SteamedinMichigan
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:44pmAnother reason to distrust our government.
I don’t trust our government at all – I only wish their wolves would turn on them.
Report Post »Just in time
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:38pmThank you brave senators for at least asking the question. I’m guessing we will hear crickets. The IRS is independent and has to answer to nobody
Report Post »Bikkiboo
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:56pmI asked my senator (Richard Lugar, R Indiana) to check on this too. I finally got a call from an underling yesterday. She didn’t seem to know anything about this. He’s up for re-election in Nov. I guess he hadn’t heard about this group of senators. Hmmm, wonder what he’s doing way out there in D.C.???
Report Post »Shasta
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 11:53pmHey Bikkiboo, at least your senator’s office called you back. I have tried, unsuccessfully, many times to get a hold of my congressman, Dan Lungren of CA, with no success. He is a republican too.
Report Post »BehindBlueEyes
Posted on March 15, 2012 at 6:16am“The IRS is independent and has to answer to nobody”
Report Post »It now answers to the commie in chief.
BehindBlueEyes
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:25pmObama’s mask is coming off. The violence and chaos will soon follow.
Report Post »Rightsofman
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:32pmThe IRS needs to be cleaned out by the new President ASAP.
Report Post »SoupSandwich
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:40pmSend them to the border with a bb gun and a camelback.
Report Post »DSTSS2010
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:43pmThis should be investigated right up the latter to the very top. All parties involved should be fired/removed from office/impeached! even BHO!
Report Post »SteveSD
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:46pmNo; the IRS needs to be disbanded, and the entire tax system discarded in favor of a flat tax or some sort of VAT-only tax.
Report Post »DSTSS2010
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:48pmSuddenly, there will be a slew of mysterious deaths in the IRS. Can’t let the trail lead back to the source!
Report Post »ThePostman
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:17pmI want you all to study the names of the ONLY people in congress that are looking out for us, every one else are traitors (except Ron Paul, I am sure there is a good reason he is not on this list):
“The move was pushed by Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch and Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, joined by Senators Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), John Cornyn (Texas), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), John Thune (R-S.D.), and Rand Paul (R-Ky.).”
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:21pmThis is a Senate initiative, please do not be so hasty to condemn the House; but in the senate….well
Report Post »lordjosh
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:27pmRon Paul is a representative. These are senators.
Report Post »Dumpsterjuice
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:29pmYes these are Senators, Ron Paul is in the House. This is just more proff that the IRS needs to be disbanded
Report Post »tradexpertbuysell
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:38pmAbout time someone started doing their job! I would say a full senate investigation, whore free and don’t stop till we get the source. Then if they don’t comply start a movement to abolish that Gestapo organization. Since 1913 this has been a political wheapon used by the left to abuse inocent US citizens. It is time for the Great Awakening and with that wave the abolishment of the IRS and the FED!
Report Post »338lapua
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:54pmI will e-mail Ron Johnson (R) Wisconsin to see why he isn’t on this list. My guess is after schooling Sebelius, he is wearing the Obama administrations deepest respect and cannot be detected from so far underground………
Report Post »BlackBeaver
Posted on March 15, 2012 at 1:47pmYeah, He’s a Representative, not a Senator!
Report Post »Case_Logic
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:16pmNot one Dem. stepped up!?! Figures. Now that the Repulicans have the IRS’s attention and asking them to explain their actions they need to look into Media Matters for America and their doings.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:45pmWhat happened to… National Loyality and the Defense of the Constitution?
Report Post »338lapua
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 9:02pmWhy of course @case_logic……….as soon as the unicorns go home and the wild monkeys cease to shoot out of my………well you get the picture.
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:14pmI am glad to see a few Senators with some guts. Too bad we dont have all of them standing to abolish the IRS completely.
Report Post »Micmac
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:10pmWhy did it take so long for these congress-hacks to pick this up and address it?
NoBama 2012
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:18pmProbably because other than the irs, no-one knew anything until valentines day- um four weeks ago. That is lightning fast for the Senate.
Report Post »jaz57
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:37pmIn the case of Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), I’m sure it is because he is being targeted by conservative groups as a Senator who needs to be removed from office because of his very non-conservative voting record.
Report Post »He is just trying to score points, trying to “undo” his 30 year record of big spending in the Senate. I am one Utah resident who will not be fooled! Look out Hatch!! You will be going the way of Bob Bennett. (His Utah contemporary who was defeated last election for the same reason that Hatch will be)
Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:08pmUnder Obama the IRS will not be fair or impartial to his political enemies, real or imagined. He will use them to harass, intimidate, persecute and coerce any way he can to get them to shut up and tote the line he wants them to, or be eliminated or jailed.
Right now we are well into ‘shove’ and soon will reach ‘shoot’ from Obama.
Report Post »pscully17
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:23pmlets see.. femacorps, new talks of a military draft are surfacing.. Obama and pinetta ordered the Marines to DIS-ARM during pinettas visit/speech today… and in Obamacare, there is hiring blitz for 16,000 more IRS Intimidators… this country is heading for a civil war… and it is sooo fractured blacks/whites christians/muslims/athiests, teaparty/occupy.. citizen/government rich/poor… that there will be a fine line in creating alliances among these groups to actually stop obama….. I contend.. we wont be pulling voting levers in november we will more likely be pulling triggers!!!!
Report Post »PaBowHunter
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:08pmThis is TYRANNY. Period. It mustn’t be allowed to continue.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:13pmExactly .. one set of rules for the ruling class … another for the rest of us.
LIBERTY!
OMG 2012!
Report Post »Mark0331
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:07pmJust in…the NAACP, Nation of Islam and The New Black Panthers will be audited as well….in other news, A Pig was spotted flying in downtown Manhattan today….
Report Post »Biff Marupis
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 10:33pmDude… I SAW that pig! Oh wait…it was Moochelle hangliding!
Report Post »blanco5
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:07pm“a fair, even-handed, and transparent manner”—bwahahahaahaha. Yeah, right.
Report Post »cuinsong
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:07pmIs any body surprised? These people are the army of NObama and they are going bto do his bidding!
Report Post »“What’s Wrong With This Song” http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_9134749
justangry
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:03pmWhat good it that going to do? Seriously, if they can‘t get answers about Fast and Furious do you think they’re going to get answers about this? Is the Obama Administration just going to come clean? Why isn’t the media and the blaze picking up on the motion to impeach his sorry butt and the reason why?
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:38pmThe impeachment bill I believe you are talking about – is a trigger. If obama uses our military without consulting congress then impeachment for high treason will proceed. I read it , did you?
Report Post »justangry
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:56pmYeah I read it. Don‘t you think it’s important? Don‘t you think the reason why it’s introduced is important?
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 9:14pmYes it is important. Do you hunt? Play chess?
Report Post »you lay a trap out in the open and you wait. In this case the arrogant one will most likely step in it. But you keep quiet. The media really is that stupid. they do not know history; and they do not think they are being used. The white house administration thinks we are a bunch of dumb cr@ckers
the anointed one thinks it is a bluff.
justangry
Posted on March 15, 2012 at 12:33amI don’t know man. I‘m half wondering if it isn’t just a show to begin with. Seems to me they’re all on the same team. Who knows, perhaps I‘ll have a different oppinion in a couple of days after more information is or isn’t available.
Report Post »TexBork
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 7:55pmThe IRS inherited it from Bush, I think that’s generally the answer to everything.
Report Post »Exrepublisheep
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:01pmSimple right?
Report Post »SoupSandwich
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:43pmBaaaush did it.
Report Post »