House of Representatives Hold Lois Lerne in Contempt of Congress

Statement

This evening Congressman Doug Collins (GA-09) and the majority of his colleagues voted to hold Lois Lerner, former IRS Director of Exempt Organizations, in contempt of Congress for her refusal to cooperate with congressional investigations into IRS targeting practices.

"This evening's vote is a commitment to the American people that this Congress is here to make their government accountable to them." Collins said."Lois Lerner has a responsibility to the American people she claimed to serve and the Congress they chose to represent them to share what she knows about how and why certain Americans were targeted for their constitutionally-protected political beliefs. The contempt she showed for the people, their representatives, and this crucial investigative process left the People's House with no other choice than to hold her in contempt of Congress today."

Collins continued, "This vote is not about politics. This vote is about the trust that must be restored between the American people and their government. While it troubles me that my colleagues who voted against this resolution don't take our responsibility seriously and are dismissing today's rare and serious move as partisan politics, I know the American people deserve and expect better. We will give it to them."

A Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Congressman Collins spoke in favor of today's vote during the floor debate. See his full statement here.

The resolution, H. Res. 574, passed with a vote of 231-187.

Source