I voted yes on #HRes574, which finds Lois Lerner in contempt of Congress and directs that the matter be referred to the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia. The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform (OGR), on which I serve, asked Lois Lerner to testify before the committee on May 22, 2013, regarding the Internal Revenue Services (IRSs) improper targeting of nonprofit groups. At the hearing, Ms. Lerner gave a lengthy, voluntary opening statement denying any wrongdoing. She then stated that she intended to invoke her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and would not testify further. On June 28, 2013, OGR voted that Ms. Lerner had waived her right to avoid cross-examination with respect to the particular exculpatory statements she volunteered at the May 2013 hearing. Since that time, Ms. Lerner has refused to answer any of OGRs questions. The committee voted to hold her in contempt on April 10, 2014, for failure to comply with a congressional subpoena. Congress cannot fulfill its constitutional duty to oversee the executive branchs work if it cant get answers from those in charge. Chairman Darrell Issa gave Ms. Lerner many opportunities to appear before the committee to resolve outstanding questions about why the IRS delayed these nonprofit applications and why the agency asked these organizations inappropriate and invasive questions. As the director of the Exempt Organizations division during the time these nonprofits were targeted, Ms. Lerner is in the best position to resolve conflicting testimony from other witnesses regarding these actions. OGR cant properly finish its investigation without Ms. Lerners cooperation. The resolution passed 231-187.
Posted on: Mon, 26 May 2014 02:48:13 +0000
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