An IRS probe into pro-Republican groups to determine whether they are violating their tax-exempt status by spending too much on partisan activities is a Nixonian move by a “reckless and ruthless administration,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell tells Newsmax.TV.
McConnell was commenting on recent revelations that the IRS was looking into the 501(c)4 organizations. The groups, such as the Karl Rove-affiliated group Crossroads GPS, are tax-exempt because they are considered social welfare groups. The status allows them to keep donor lists private but the groups must limit their spending to issue ads designed to educate the public.
Critics charge the groups have crossed the line with their ads and they should be forced to disclose donors like Super PACS.
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“Well it’s more of the same,” McConnell said of the IRS probe, claiming the Obama administration is also using the Federal Communications Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission to go after its political adversaries.
"It’s very Nixonian, reminiscent of the Nixon years where there was an enemies list at the White House. This is a reckless and ruthless administration that will do anything to quiet the voices of its opponents.”
The probe, in concert with one in New York by the Democratic state attorney general into spending by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is designed to “scare donors away from any groups that are critical of the administration,” McConnell charged.
“They’re using the power of the federal government to quiet the voice of their critics,” he added. “As I said, that is very reminiscent of the Nixon administration.”
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McConnell said members of Congress are going to be in touch with the government agencies to tell them not to “be involved in partisan political activities.”
“It’s inconsistent with the duties of their offices and ought to be criticized in the most aggressive way and we intend to do that,” he said.
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