Paul Resolution Calls for Probing Administration Involvement in IRS Scandal

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) today put forth a resolution condemning the IRS and advocating an investigation reaching deep into the Obama administration.

“The IRS has been using taxing power as a political tool to bully these conservative groups and this type of intimidation is a major violation of our U.S. Constitution,” Paul said. “This act of discrimination should not be tolerated and I demand a formal investigation seeking criminal charges against any individuals who authorized or were involved in targeting people of the United States based on their political views.”

“The president has deemed this inexcusable, yet actions speak louder than words. It is time for President Obama and his Administration to act and it is our duty as Americans to hold them accountable,” he added.

The resolution finds that “the Internal Revenue Service engaged in discriminatory behavior” and calls for an independent authority to investigate “and, if applicable, seek criminal charges against any individuals who authorized or were involved in targeting people of the United States based on their political views.”

It also seeks to “determine if other entities in the administration of President Obama were involved in or were aware of the discrimination and did not take action to stop the actions of the Internal Revenue Service.”

Also today, Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) called for the removal of the acting commission of the IRS, Steven Miller.

Miller is a career tax man who was temporarily moved into the spot after Commissioner Doug Shulman left three days after President Obama’s re-election. The targeting of Tea Party groups happened under Shulman’s tenure.

“If the reports are accurate that Steven Miller knew about the IRS’s egregious targeting of conservative groups last year and misled members of Congress about those actions, he should step down or be removed immediately,” Blunt said.

“It’s become increasingly clear this was not limited to the actions of a small group of lower level employees, which is why President Obama and his administration must initiate a comprehensive and transparent investigation immediately.”