BREAKING: House Ways and Means Committee Votes to Refer Lois Lerner For Criminal Charges

Townhall.com ^ | April 9, 2014 | Katie Pavlich

[Kaslin]

The House Ways and Means Committee has voted to 23-14 along party lines to refer former head of tax exempt groups at the IRS Lois Lerner to the Justice Department for prosecution. Although the details about exactly what charges will be have not yet been released, lawmakers are arguing Lerner has not been truthful with Congress or the IRS inspector general and leaked confidential tax information.

Last time a referral like this happened, it was to Major League Baseball player Roger Clemens, who was pursued by the Department of Justice for lying to Congress but was exonerated in court.

This is a test for the Department of Justice and the Obama administration. What's more important? Baseball and steroids? Or the most powerful federal agency abusing its power to target innocent conservative groups?

Last summer President Obama called the targeting "outrageous" and promised to hold people responsible and accountable for what happened. If the Justice Department refuses to pursue charges against Lerner, it's fair to say one reason is because they don't want information leading back to the administration coming out in court.

Tomorrow the House Oversight Comittee will vote on whether to hold Lerner in contempt of Congress.

[Mears]

“Wake me when somebody goes to jail”

—

Well hello there,Rip Van Winkle.

.

[DannyTN]

"This process of branding Lerner with criminal acts is very good publicity for coming elections."

I agree.

• The pressure will be on the administration to explain why they aren't pursuing criminal charges when Congress is requesting they do.
• It puts the lie to Obama's statement that there was no wrong doing.
• If Holder does nothing, it makes him look even more partisan and unjust.
• It Holder does nothing, it makes Obama look bad.
• It puts other administration officials on notice that Congress can and will refer you for criminal prosecution. And do you really want to risk that Holder will protect you, if you do wrong.
• If holder does nothing, it helps build the case that Holder should be impeached.

[Cyber Liberty]

This is a test for the Department of Justice and the Obama administration. What's more important? Baseball and steroids? Or the most powerful federal agency abusing its power to target innocent conservative groups?

I think we already know the answer to this one.

[butterdezillion]

Pathetic. When are the idiots in DC ever gonna figure out where this country is at?

Maybe when the rest of us figure it out and say it plainly without worrying about losing our “credibility” in the eyes of the same incestuous media-political orgy that put us in this mess in the first place...

[headless_thompson_gunner]

We gots your referral right here...

[mulligan]

Referred to what? The un-justice department. How far will that go. Should have been settled in the House by sending her to jail.

[Norm Lenhart]

Holder has a million reasons to be tossed. Including contempt. they have done nothing.

[Inwoodian]

Then they should open the jail for Holder too. He has already been held in contempt!

[LyinLibs]

That’s like ‘referring Eva Braun to Hitler for prosecution.’

[rhinohunter]

When CRIMINAL charges are being decided along party lines, this is a sure sign that your nation is headed toward banana republic status.

[Chuckster]

I wonder if the scapegoat will crack and plead that she was “Just following orders”?

[WayneS]

Oh, PLEASE don’t throw me in that briar patch!

[Unknowing]

The clock is ticking.

[Uncle Chip]

They need to do their duty and arrest her — NOW

[Vendome]

And

Then?

WTF

Ever....

[Trapped Behind Enemy Lines]

Ve have vays of making you talk!

[blueunicorn6]

Gosh, it’s great to see everyone here at Free Republic supporting the people who are doing this.

“Let’s throw her in the House jail!”

OK. What happens when the Democrats take control of the House? Who goes in jail then?

“Nothing is going to happen.”

Something did just happen.

“The Republicans will screw this up!”

You mean by not taking this step-by-step and by just jumping in and doing something that could get them in a lot of trouble? Here’s an old saying that holds true, “Droit Et Avant”. “Be sure and then go forward.” It is the motto of The United States Army Inspector General Branch.

[Scoutmaster]

The clock is ticking.

So is the countdown until the DOJ presses criminal charges.

5 . 4 . 3 . 2 . 2 . 2 . 2 . 2 . 2 . 2 . 2 . 2 . 2 . . .

[Slyfox]

We got word that somebody has to take the fall for this, but they said it might be worth your while.

[Kaslin]

Yeah, I know, but what can they do?