GOP Rep. Delivers Passionate Defense of First Amendment During House Floor Speech on IRS Targeting

Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) on Wednesday delivered a fiery House floor speech on the First Amendment and the importance of protecting all Americans from targeting by the IRS.

Speaking in favor of H.R. 3865, a bill to prevent the IRS from modifying it standard for groups who seek 501(c)(4) status, Kelly argued that all members of Congress have taken an oath to defend and uphold the U.S. Constitution.

“This is not a political issue. This is not about an R or a D, this is about a ‘we.’ This is about the entire country,” he added. “We cannot allow the voice of the people not to be heard in our town squares — and when they need speak out, they need to know they can speak out without being threatened, without being worried about what will happen to them.”

Kelly said the debate over the IRS’ targeting of conservative groups has been turned in a partisan issue when it’s really about the First Amendment rights of all Americans.

“If we cannot see that and we turn this into a political agenda and talking points then, my gosh, how far we have fallen from what the Founders intended in the very beginning,” the Republican proclaimed.

Watch the rest of the speech here: