Lois Capps: “I support this bill to give taxpayers more rights when dealing with the IRS, but taxpayers should also be protected from…”

“I support this bill to give taxpayers more rights when dealing with the IRS, but taxpayers should also be protected from shady political organizations. This would be a better bill if it included the Doggett amendment on so-called 527 groups. These are tax-exempt political organizations trying to influence elections. They spend millions of dollars on negative ads, direct mail campaigns, and phone banks. Where do they get their money? From the shadows. 527 groups do not have to disclose how much money they raise or where their money comes from. Voters do not know then who is behind the 30-second TV ads trashing their candidates. There is absolutely no accountability, and the American taxpayer is footing the bill. There is an old saying, Sunshine is the best disinfectant. The Doggett amendment would bring a little sunshine into this shadowy corner of politics. As tax day approaches, Mr. Speaker, I urge the House leadership to let us vote on the Doggett amendment so we can give the American taxpayer and the American voter the break they deserve.”