Deb Fischer: “while I realize Members of this body are very concerned about the situation in the Ukraine today and we are focused on…”

“while I realize Members of this body are very concerned about the situation in the Ukraine today and we are focused on the crisis happening there, I wish to take a few minutes to discuss two bills I have recently introduced that deal with reforms to the Internal Revenue Service. As the Federal agency tasked with administering the U.S. Tax Code, the IRS has extraordinary influence on the lives of Americans from all walks of life and all points of view. Citizens have the absolute right to expect the IRS to be free from political influence, with taxpayers treated fairly and enforcement carried out in an unbiased manner. Unfortunately, we have learned our expectations sometimes are very different from reality. In early 2013 the IRS acknowledged a history of targeting politically active groups as some of these groups sought tax-exempt status. This practice first involved flagging groups concerned about government spending and debt. Ironically, the targeting came at a time when poll after poll indicated that the Federal Government's out-of-control spending and our $17 trillion debt were top concerns for all Americans, and from my experience, they are the top concerns for Nebraskans as well. Despite these legitimate concerns and the patriotic desire of Americans to effect change in government, the IRS worked to impede these organizations from full participation in our democratic process.…”