The Internal Revenue Service is still under heavy fire for targeting certain conservative groups for additional scrutiny.
Third District Congressman Nick Rahall says he is among the many people who are not happy with the IRS and says Congress needs to get to the bottom of the matter soon.
“It’s unconscionable that the IRS would be targeting individuals or groups for special scrutinies just because of their political leniency,” Rahall said.
The Congressman says, whatever happened, the IRS has not handled the situation well, “By taking the Fifth Amendment, several of the key people, you have to be suspicious. By attempting to pass the buck as they have, you have to be even more suspicious. It’s just not very forthcoming.”
Lois Lerner, the Director of Exempt Organizations for the IRS, was put on administrative leave last week.
She invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self incrimination when questioned on Capitol Hill about the practice of targeting certain groups, including those associated with the Tea Party.
Republican Congressman David McKinley, who represents West Virginia’s First District, agrees with his Democratic colleague. “Right now there’s a lack of confidence, a lack of trust with the IRS,” he said. “Where do we go next?”
Congressman Rahall says he is hopeful the situation will be sorted out in the coming weeks. “I feel confident that the oversight of Congress will get to the bottom of this and we’ll know the truth sooner or later.”
The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a criminal investigation focused on the actions of the IRS.
Three Congressional committees are also conducting reviews.