ICYMI: Democrats Raise Alarm on IRS Overreach, Data Privacy, and Free Speech Threats
Washington, D.C. – Democratic Members used the House Ways and Means Committee hearing with IRS CEO Frank Bisignano to highlight concerns over widespread mismanagement, Americans’ privacy, the risk of politically motivated targeting, and maintaining trust in the IRS.
KEY QUOTES FROM THE DAIS:
Ranking Member Richard Neal (D-MA):
“Americans deserve an IRS that operates reliably and lawfully, not one that risks becoming a tool for political or personal gain. The repeated disclosures of sensitive taxpayer information are a clear violation of public trust, and we need accountability at the highest levels.”
Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX):
Doggett pressed the IRS on behalf of taxpayers, seeking assurances that audits, investigations, or revocations would not be politically motivated and pressing on attempts to influence IRS priorities:
“Have you received either directly or indirectly any communication from anyone in the Trump regime suggesting that specific tax-exempt organizations should be scrutinized because of their political views?”
“Will you commit today that under your leadership the IRS will not initiate audits, investigations, or revocations of tax-exempt status based on political targeting?”
“WSJ reported that The Trump administration is preparing sweeping changes at the Internal Revenue Service that would allow the agency to pursue criminal inquiries of some groups more easily …You’ve never heard that the Trump administration is trying to weaponize the IRS?”
Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA):
“IRS transmitted taxpayer data to ICE without proper authorization … It's not a paperwork error, it’s a breakdown in leadership. Why should Americans trust an agency that broke the law tens of thousands of times? Enforcement resources are moving away from the wealthy … trust is not demanded, it’s earned. Right now the IRS needs to earn the trust of the American people.”
Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-CA):
“Americans risk having their sensitive data shared illegally with other agencies. A U.S. district judge found last week that the IRS violated federal law 42,695 times when it shared confidential taxpayers’ addresses with immigration enforcement officials … How is the IRS handling this issue?”
Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA):
“Under your leadership you allowed the IRS to violate taxpayers’ privacy tens of thousands of times … this is a catastrophic leadership failure and is a huge hit on the public’s confidence in your agency’s integrity … illegally handing over taxpayer information to DHS. What are you doing to rectify this misconduct?”
