House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) indicated today he won’t be satisfied with low-level IRS employees taking the fall for the targeting of conservative groups.
“Listen, jobs is our primary focus, but while we’re focused on that, we’re also focused on holding this administration accountable. Our committees are working overtime to uncover the truth about what happened in Libya, and they’re trying to get to the bottom of what happened in the IRS scandal,” Boehner said at a news conference today.
“…The best way to repair this damage is for the administration to come forward with the truth, the whole truth, so that the American people will have all of the facts.”
When asked which people he wants to see go to jail, the speaker reiterated that he wants to see all the facts.
“I want to know how this happened, who was responsible for it. It’s clear that there — there is law. Section 7214 of the Title 26 of the U.S. code states very clearly, any officer or employee of the United States acting in connection with any revenue law of the United States who is guilty of extortion or willful oppression under the color of law shall be dismissed from office and, if convicted, be fined up to $10,000 and spend five years in jail,” Boehner said.
“…Somebody made a decision to do this. And I doubt that it was some low-level employees in the Cincinnati field office.”
Boehner was asked if he trusts President Obama in light of all the scandals.
“Listen, it’s not about trusting someone. Our job here is to get to the truth, and we’re going to get to the truth. And I know what you’re up to. I’m not taking the bait,” he said.
At a press conference with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan today, Obama said his “main concern” with the IRS scandal “is fixing a problem.”
“And we began that process yesterday by asking and accepting the resignation of the acting director there. We will be putting in new leadership that will be able to make sure that following up on the IG audit that we gather up all the facts, that we hold accountable those who have taken these outrageous actions,” Obama said. “…And I’m looking forward to working with Congress to fully investigate what happened, make sure that it doesn’t happen again, and also look at some of the laws that create a bunch of ambiguity in which the IRS may not have enough guidance and not be clear about what, exactly, they need to be doing and doing it right, so that the American people have confidence that — that the tax laws are being applied fairly and evenly.”
Acting commissioner Steve Miller was not in charge at the time of the scandal. He planned to leave the post in June at the conclusion of a 25-year career at the IRS.
Miller is scheduled to testify before the House Ways and Means Committee tomorrow morning.
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