Is Tina Kotek defending IRS abuses?

by NW Spotlight

People all over Oregon and the United States have been deeply troubled by the growing scandal involving the Obama administration’s use of the Internal Revenue Service for political purposes. The notion that the IRS would be used to harass and intimidate conservative grassroots organizations is one that many find very offensive.

A bill was introduced during the recently adjourned Oregon legislative session that addressed this particular issue.

House Joint Memorial 20 urged Congress to investigate the alleged abuses of power by the IRS and take legislative action to correct the abuses. The text of the measure read that, “Oregonians are shocked and appalled by the recent revelations of the widespread and politically motivated abuses of power” by the IRS and that agency has “for purely political motives, trampled on the constitutional rights of our fellow citizens.”

The memorial goes on to state that Congress “is respectfully urged to take all appropriate action, including but not limited to further investigation of Internal Revenue Service actions and the drafting of any appropriate legislation, to rein in the powers of, and increase congressional oversight over” the IRS.

Unfortunately, HJM 20 was referred to the Speaker’s desk and stayed there until the session ended. It was never even assigned to a committee for consideration. In fact, it was the ONLY bill not assigned to a House committee.

Maybe Tina Kotek should stop covering for the Obama administration’s rampant abuses of power and stand up for our constitutional rights. And House Republicans should absolutely re-introduce a similar piece of legislation in next February’s month-long session.