[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 5]
[House]
[Page 6939]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    IRS TARGETS CONSERVATIVE GROUPS

  (Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, you know, during a 
commencement address in 2009 President Obama ``joked'' about the IRS 
auditing university officials for failing to award him an honorary 
degree. Now fast-forward to last Friday, when we learned that the IRS 
has been targeting conservative groups.
  Madam Speaker, the misuse of the IRS power is no laughing matter. As 
Chief Justice John Marshall once said, ``The power to tax is the power 
to destroy.''
  Folks and groups back home seeking to express their support for our 
hard-fought freedoms and liberties, for limited government, and for a 
better America should never be subjected to intimidation because of 
their political beliefs--never.
  The use of the IRS as a political weapon is unacceptable. What's 
worse, this is the same agency that will be enforcing ObamaCare.
  We must hold those responsible accountable. That's why the Ways and 
Means Committee will hold a hearing this Friday.
  The American people deserve the truth, the whole truth, and nothing 
but the truth. And if you're as outraged as I am, call the White House 
at this number that's right there in front of you. We must make sure it 
never happens again.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Foxx). Members are reminded to direct 
their remarks to the Chair.

                          ____________________