Posted on 02/12/2016 4:25:58 AM PST by HomerBohn
A heated argument erupted Thursday at a hearing on the IRS, with Democrats and Republicans trading charges about the work of the Oversight Committee.
Two Democrats on the panel accused their GOP colleagues of repeatedly holding hearings on the IRS for political reasons.
In his opening statement, Oversight Committee ranking member Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) complained that the hearing was the 23rd held about the IRS in recent years.
"Unfortunately, Republicans have become obsessed with investigating any and every allegation relating to the IRS, no matter how small," he said.
He said Republicans are frustrated that they have never found proof that the White House conspired with the IRS to target conservative groups or shown that any IRS employee destroyed evidence during the investigation.
"The problem now is that our committee is in a mindset where we are just trying to get the IRS," Cummings said.
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio.), chairman of the Oversight subcommittee on administrative rules, fired back.
"We're not trying to get the IRS. The IRS was trying to get conservative Americans who were exercising their First Amendment, free speech right," he said. "Twenty-three hearings is a pretty small price to pay when you're trying to protect fundamental liberties in the Constitution, for goodness sake."
Jordan said the hearings are warranted because the IRS has engaged in a pattern of destroying records and documents.
Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) echoed Cummings. He accused Republicans of slashing the IRS's budget and making it hard for the agency to do its job. Congress could reduce the national debt by giving the IRS more resources to collect unpaid taxes, but it hasn't because "ideologically, the IRS is such a juicy target," he said.
Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) asked Connolly to yield twice while giving his statement, but the Virginian refused.
When Connolly was done speaking, Chaffetz said it was beneath Connolly to "suggest, and try to assign motivation to our attempt here to get at the truth."
"Name one thing that I said in my opening statement that's not true. Name it. You don't have anything," Chaffetz said.
"You don't have anything, Mr. Chairman," Connolly replied.
"Yes I do," Chaffetz said, before describing questions he had for the IRS officials testifying at the hearing.
Cummings agreed that questions over why the IRS is using old computer systems are legitimate. Connolly agreed, too, but said those questions have to be "balanced" with questions about the IRS budget.
"It's in my set of questions and why we're having this hearing today," Chaffetz said.
"Except that it isn't," Connolly replied.
Chaffetz slammed Connolly in turn. "For the gentleman to suggest those aren't my questions and to impugn the motive of any member is totally inappropriate," he said.
Connolly said he didn't attack Chaffetz's motives and was just characterizing the hearing and the process.
"Would I characterize this process negatively? Yes. I've made no secret of that. And I don't apologize for it, and I don't retract it. And it's not impugning you or any other individual to call into question that process. That's my right as a member of this committee."
The hearing then moved forward to the testimony of IRS officials.
The dollar you make is taxed when you earn it, taxed when you spend it and taxed when you invest it. Add these taxes to all the other taxes you pay and the result is obvious: Americans are being screwed by the likes of worthless humans like Cummings and this central socialist government as well as many state governments.
The proper tactic is telling the Democrats if they are not happy they are free to leave - but a vote will be taken by remaining panel on the continuing focus of the investigation. Stay or go, don’t care. WE control the narrative here. Get used to the consequences of voting.
Don’t forget that we are taxed when we die too
The Dems are correct. These “hearings” are nothing more than a show for the masses. Kabuki theater if you will.
Another Nothing Burger.
“Jordan said the hearings are warranted because the IRS has engaged in a pattern of destroying records and documents.”
To Rep. Jordan;
AND WHO HAS BEEN HELD ACCOUNTABLE?
NOBODY!
I am just so friggin tired of all the jaw-jacking yapping. I am increasingly swirling down the thought that our Republic is in fact dead.
“Don’t forget that we are taxed when we die too”..........
And another tax is passed to your heirs when they get your leftovers. Is there any wonder why the original Americans had a “party” over something so miniscule as tea?
One major candidate openly wants to abolish the IRS
I agree the IRS needs to be abolished.
BUT:
We all know that ain’t gonna happen.
The IRS in one form or another has been with us since the Lincoln Admiration. 150 + YEARS of tyrannical history
Then by Constitutional Amendment (16th) in 1913. 100+ years of tyrannical and dictatorial history.
Abolish the IRS?
That ain’t gonna happen.
Kabuki theater is perfected in the congress. These spineless ones have yet to hold anyone accountable for any of their lawlessness. They are useless squawking capons.
As long as you allow criminals to oversee the actions of criminals, you will have endless debates and hearings. Both Connolly and Cummings are there to misdirect, obfuscate, and blame...
Why does this Elijah character keep turning up at all these committee meetings? Is he on all the committees?
Elijah is the pride of Maryland who many think is a Christian. How can one be a Christian and believe in abortion and the godless Democrat Communist Party?
He owes his seat to the clueless negroes and white liberals who continually and cluelessly vote him back into the club. It makes them feel good about themselves.
Hey Elijah, it*s not the evidence - it*s the seriousness of the charge!
DC Republicans are part of the uniparty. They do not want to actually stop anything fedzilla is doing. They just display lots of feigned outrage to mollify the rubes back home and take zero action to hold any federal gubmint hack responsible for any crime they commit. Then these same cowardly scumbags are baffled that an outsider such as Trump can gain support with voters by talking about how incompetent/dishonest our gubmint is.
I “lived” in the WDC area for over 30 years. From my observations you are sooooooo correct.
Cummings is part of the cruminal element of the DC Uni-Party.
I was just thinking of that as I read this thread. And I wonder how realistic it is?
Elijah Cummings is at it again!
DANG!
There is a special place in hell for that pasty bloated freak, Elijah Cummings.
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