THE LIKELY SUSPECTS----DEMS STOOP TO CONQUEUR
Democrats order IRS to act to save their seats
by Alexander Bolton / The Hill, 2/13/14
Senate Democrats facing tough elections this year want the IRS to play a more aggressive role in regulating outside groups expected to spend millions of dollars on their races. In the wake of the IRS targeting scandal, the Democrats are publicly prodding the agency instead of lobbying them directly.
Dems are also careful to say the IRS should treat conservative and liberal groups equally, but they’re concerned about an impending tidal wave of attack ads funded by GOP-allied organizations. Much of the funding for those groups is secret, in contrast to the donations lawmakers collect, which must be reported publicly.
One of the most powerful groups is Americans for Prosperity, funded by the billionaire industrialists Charles and David Koch. It has already spent close to $30 million on ads attacking Democrats this election cycle. “If they’re claiming the tax relief, the tax benefit to be a nonprofit for social relief or social justice, then that’s what they should be doing,” said Sen. Mark Begich (D), who faces a competitive race in Alaska. “If it’s to give them cover so they can do political activity, that’s abusing the tax code. And either side."
<><><><>Asked if the IRS should play a more active role policing political advocacy by groups that claim to be focused on social welfare, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) responded, “Absolutely. Both on the left and the right,” she said. “As taxpayers, we should not be providing a write-off to groups to do political activity, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
Shaheen called the glut of political spending by self-described social welfare groups that qualify under section 501(c) (4) of the tax code “outrageous.” Shaheen is in a good position now but could find herself embroiled in a tight campaign if former Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass) challenges her.<><><><>
Sen. Mark Pryor (Ark.), the most vulnerable Democratic incumbent, said the IRS has jurisdiction over 501(c)(4) groups, as well as charities, which fall under section 5/01(c)(3) of the tax code and sometimes engage in quasi-political activity.
“That whole 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4) [issue], those are IRS numbers. It is inherently an internal revenue matter,” he said. “There are two things you don’t want in political money, in the fundraising world and expenditure world. You don’t want secret money, and you don’t want unlimited money, and that’s what we have now.” --SNIP--
Sen. Mark Pryor (Ark.), the most vulnerable Democratic incumbent, said the IRS has jurisdiction over 501(c)(4) groups, as well as charities, which fall under section 5/01(c)(3) of the tax code and sometimes engage in quasi-political activity.
******
Raising money for Mark Pryor’s reelection...
State: Massachusetts
Primary focus (state or federal): Federal
Viewpoint: Liberal
IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN): #202517748
Affiliated PAC: ActBlue
******
I bet these groups didn’t receive letters from the IRS requesting ‘additional information’ on their donor lists, etc.
Alliance for Economic Justice
501(c)(5)
Internal
A liberal coalition of more than 20 unions, representing more than 5 million workers ...
American Family Voices
501(c)(4)
Democratic-leaning group led by former Clinton aide Michael Lux ...
Center for American Progress
501(c)(3)
501(c)(4)
Democratic think tank formed to find progressive solutions to a host of problems ...
MoveOn.org
527
PAC
501(c)(4)
Airing TV ads that are critical of President Bush in key battleground states ...
Natural Resources Defense Council
527
501(c)(3)
501(c)(4)
A national environmental organization with more than one million members and online activists ...
Progressive Donor Network
501(c)(4)
Democratic group focused on opposing President Bush’s reelection ...
State: District of Columbia
Primary focus (state or federal): Federal
Viewpoint: Liberal
IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN): #521729701
Affiliated PAC: Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund
*******
Mark Pryor FEC filing - April 2014
http://docquery.fec.gov/pdf/527/14960635527/14960635527.pdf#navpanes=0