|
IRS Commissioner
John Koskinen, who is already facing a Republican-led
impeachment effort, would be condemned for conduct inconsistent
with "trust and confidence" under a measure due to come before
the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on
Wednesday.
Republicans, including the committee chairman, Jason Chaffetz of
Utah, allege that Koskinen failed to comply with a House
subpoena as lawmakers sought evidence that the agency targeted
Tea Party groups for extra scrutiny. IRS actions came to light
in early 2013, months before Koskinen arrived at the agency.
IRS officials had no immediate comment. Koskinen has denied any
wrongdoing.
Representative Elijah Cummings of Maryland, the oversight
committee's top Democrat, accused Republicans of leap-frogging
over the House Judiciary Committee, which is holding its own
hearings to determine whether Koskinen committed any wrongdoing.
Cummings said government investigators have found no evidence
that the IRS targeted conservative groups or that Koskinen
obstructed the House investigation.
The proposed censure legislation urges Koskinen's removal from
office and would require him to forfeit his pension and other
federal benefits. Committee approval would send it to the floor
for a vote by the full House.
Legal experts say a congressional censure would not pass
constitutional muster if it imposed any penalty.
(Reporting by David Morgan; Editing by Leslie Adler)
[© 2016 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2016 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
|
|
