Issa Statement on IRS Reversal on Political Speech Rule

WASHINGTON – House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa, R-Calif., released the following statement on Internal Revenue Service Commissioner John Koskinen’s decision to scrap a proposed rule to limit political speech by nonprofit and social welfare organizations:

“I am pleased the Internal Revenue Service has at least temporarily heeded the serious concerns expressed by myself and countless others, and has decided to scrap its proposed rule change restricting the political speech of social welfare groups. Ultimately, the flawed IRS rule drew the ire of First Amendment advocates on both the left and right – these Americans, who broke records with critical comments about the proposed rule, deserve the most credit for blocking the implementation of the Administration’s wrong-headed and ill-advised proposal.”

On February 4, 2014, Chairman Issa and Rep. Jim Jordan sent a letter to Commissioner Koskinen urging him to abandon the proposed rule.