McCain Staffer Urged IRS To Conduct ‘Financially Ruinous’ Investigations Of Non-Profits

GURPS

INGSOC
PREMO Member
As the coauthor of campaign finance regulations known as McCain-Feingold, McCain has long urged more government restrictions on political speech and activity. He notably criticized the Citizens United ruling, calling it the “most egregious decision of the United States Supreme Court in the 21st century,” because it enabled corporations to spend money on political messaging via independent nonprofit organizations.

In the 11 pages of notes, Kerner reportedly asked the IRS what tools the federal agency had to monitor and crack down on organizations that may be abusing their nonprofit status. Lerner explained that the IRS can revoke an organization’s tax-exempt status if they are abusing it, but that it doesn’t happen overnight, to which Kerner suggested that “maybe the solution is to audit so many that it is financially ruinous.”

Here’s the whole exchange, from page 10 of the IRS employee’s notes.

Henry Kerner asked how to get to the abuse of organizations claiming section 501 (c)(4) but designed to be primarily political. Lois Lerner said the system works, but not in real time. Henry Kerner noted that these organizations don’t disclose donors. Lois Lerner said that if they don’t meet the requirements, we can come in and revoke, but it doesn’t happen timely. Nan Marks said if the concern is that the organizations engaging in this activity don’t disclose donors, then the system doesn’t work. Henry Kerner said that maybe the solution is to audit so many that it is financially ruinous. Nikole noted that we have budget constraints. Elise Bean suggested using the list of organizations that made independent expenditures. Lois Lerner said that it is her job to oversee it all, not just political campaign activity. Lois Lerner said that she does have other tools. When we issue compliance check questionnaires, we are very transparent about it and post the questionnaire on our website.

In 2015, Judicial Watch reported on the same April 30 meeting, but the notes it obtained from the IRS via Freedom of Information Act requests had been blacked out. In response, McCain vehemently denied Judicial Watch’s characterization.



Report: McCain Staffer Urged IRS To Conduct ‘Financially Ruinous’ Investigations Of Non-Profits
 

Songfourone

New Member
As the coauthor of campaign finance regulations known as McCain-Feingold, McCain has long urged more government restrictions on political speech and activity. He notably criticized the Citizens United ruling, calling it the “most egregious decision of the United States Supreme Court in the 21st century,” because it enabled corporations to spend money on political messaging via independent nonprofit organizations.

In the 11 pages of notes, Kerner reportedly asked the IRS what tools the federal agency had to monitor and crack down on organizations that may be abusing their nonprofit status. Lerner explained that the IRS can revoke an organization’s tax-exempt status if they are abusing it, but that it doesn’t happen overnight, to which Kerner suggested that “maybe the solution is to audit so many that it is financially ruinous.”

Here’s the whole exchange, from page 10 of the IRS employee’s notes.

Henry Kerner asked how to get to the abuse of organizations claiming section 501 (c)(4) but designed to be primarily political. Lois Lerner said the system works, but not in real time. Henry Kerner noted that these organizations don’t disclose donors. Lois Lerner said that if they don’t meet the requirements, we can come in and revoke, but it doesn’t happen timely. Nan Marks said if the concern is that the organizations engaging in this activity don’t disclose donors, then the system doesn’t work. Henry Kerner said that maybe the solution is to audit so many that it is financially ruinous. Nikole noted that we have budget constraints. Elise Bean suggested using the list of organizations that made independent expenditures. Lois Lerner said that it is her job to oversee it all, not just political campaign activity. Lois Lerner said that she does have other tools. When we issue compliance check questionnaires, we are very transparent about it and post the questionnaire on our website.

In 2015, Judicial Watch reported on the same April 30 meeting, but the notes it obtained from the IRS via Freedom of Information Act requests had been blacked out. In response, McCain vehemently denied Judicial Watch’s characterization.



Report: McCain Staffer Urged IRS To Conduct ‘Financially Ruinous’ Investigations Of Non-Profits




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