Legislation offered in the House and Senate would add the threat of a fine and imprisonment to current policies that require that IRS employees be fired for certain types of misconduct, a proposal arising out of the scandal involving special scrutiny being applied to applications from certain conservative-leaning groups for tax-exempt status.
"Americans of all political beliefs have been rightly outraged by the revelation of the IRS’ efforts to target certain political organizations. The fact that this could occur with little to no corrective action against those who seek to silence their fellow citizens is unacceptable," House sponsor Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, said. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., offered the Senate version.
At issue is a provision of the 1998 IRS reform law that require that employees be fired for certain misconduct, called the "10 deadly sins." The proposal would specify that rights to free speech and free association are protected by one of those, which involves violating a taxpayer’s rights under the Constitution.
The bill would make violators subject to a fine of up to $5,000, five years of prison or both, in addition to firing.