Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Supports Special Counsel to Investigate IRS Targeting of Non-Profits

Press Release

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) today voted against a bill (H. Res. 574) holding Lois Lerner, former Director of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Exempt Organizations, in contempt of Congress, upholding her constitutional right to plead the fifth. The House passed the measure. She voted in favor of a separate bill (H. Res. 565) to call on Attorney General Eric Holder, Jr. to appoint a special counsel to investigate the targeting of conservative non-profit groups by the IRS.

"I voted against holding Ms. Lerner in contempt because I believe that every American, including Ms. Lerner, has a constitutional right to plead the fifth. However, I strongly disagree with Ms. Lerner's decision to do so. I believe that she should testify and shed light on information she may have about illegal IRS targeting. By refusing to testify, Ms. Lerner is contributing to the mistrust the American people have in government. If wrongdoing occurred with her knowledge, she has a responsibility to convey what exactly happened so that those responsible can be held accountable. Since Ms. Lerner will not testify, this special counsel will conduct an investigation and present the facts. The American people have a right to know the facts, whatever they may be, and Congress and the IRS need to understand how to prevent this from happening again," said Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard.

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