Like Causes?

Install the App
TRY NOW
Countable Is Officially Causes.com

house Bill H.R. 4903

Should it be Illegal for the IRS to Target Taxpayers for Exercising Their First Amendment Rights?

Argument in favor

Given the IRS’ history of being used to weaken political opponents Congress has a responsibility to ensure that the agency doesn’t infringe on Americans’ rights.

BTSundra's Opinion
···
04/19/2016
I suppose at this point, anybody who votes "nay" is an anti-constitutionalist. The Government should never persecute groups of people based on their political beliefs. I will vote this same way whether it is a liberal persecuting a conservative or vice-versa, as this is a moral issue, not a governmental one.
Like (24)
Follow
Share
operaman's Opinion
···
04/18/2016
Yes, it's a hate crime to persecute Conservatives.
Like (9)
Follow
Share
David's Opinion
···
04/20/2016
It should be illegal for the IRS to target taxpayers, period. Audits should be random, and there should be no mechanism for making it otherwise. We are to be equal under the law, innocent until proven guilty, and them crooked vultures in D.C. should have no tool at their disposal for damaging political enemies.
Like (5)
Follow
Share

Argument opposed

Clearly the IRS shouldn’t be infringing on the constitutional rights of citizens, so this bill is merely trying to undermine the agency while stating the obvious.

Dinnerandamurder's Opinion
···
04/20/2016
This seems like it should be a Yea on the face of it, but it's already illegal!!!! So this bill is purely political posturing. My fear here is this bill will allow legitimate investigations to be closed down by claiming they are being targeted for political reasons. Not all audits are random. If someone is suspected of evasion or illegal shenanigans, the IRS needs the ability to investigate without infringement.
Like (14)
Follow
Share
John's Opinion
···
04/24/2016
It already is unconstitutional. Why do we need yet another law? This is simply a political blame game.
Like (8)
Follow
Share
Chris's Opinion
···
04/21/2016
The IRS does not and should not infringe on anyone's Constitutional rights. This bill is merely political retribution and another amazing waste of time by a Congressional Caucus trying to score points with a fringe group. To be clear if you as an individual or a group are advertising and advocating that taxes are illegal, too high, or ways around paying you should and will be invite increased scrutiny by the IRS. If not the IRS is not doing their jobs.
Like (4)
Follow
Share

bill Progress

  • Not enacted
    The President has not signed this bill
  • The senate has not voted
      senate Committees
      Committee on Finance
  • The house Passed April 19th, 2016
    Passed by Voice Vote
      house Committees
      Committee on Ways and Means
    IntroducedApril 12th, 2016
Log in or create an account to see how your Reps voted!

Bill Activity

  • action
    Introduced in House
  • referral
    Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
  • action
    Mrs. Noem moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
  • action
    Considered under suspension of the rules.
  • action
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4903.
  • vote
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
  • action
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  • referral
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

bill Progress

  • Not enacted
    The President has not signed this bill
  • The senate has not voted
      senate Committees
      Committee on Finance
  • The house Passed April 19th, 2016
    Passed by Voice Vote
      house Committees
      Committee on Ways and Means
    IntroducedApril 12th, 2016
Log in or create an account to see how your Reps voted!
    BTSundra's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    04/19/2016
    I suppose at this point, anybody who votes "nay" is an anti-constitutionalist. The Government should never persecute groups of people based on their political beliefs. I will vote this same way whether it is a liberal persecuting a conservative or vice-versa, as this is a moral issue, not a governmental one.
    Like (24)
    Follow
    Share
    Dinnerandamurder's Opinion Against
    ···
    04/20/2016
    This seems like it should be a Yea on the face of it, but it's already illegal!!!! So this bill is purely political posturing. My fear here is this bill will allow legitimate investigations to be closed down by claiming they are being targeted for political reasons. Not all audits are random. If someone is suspected of evasion or illegal shenanigans, the IRS needs the ability to investigate without infringement.
    Like (14)
    Follow
    Share
    operaman's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    04/18/2016
    Yes, it's a hate crime to persecute Conservatives.
    Like (9)
    Follow
    Share
    John's Opinion Against
    ···
    04/24/2016
    It already is unconstitutional. Why do we need yet another law? This is simply a political blame game.
    Like (8)
    Follow
    Share
    David's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    04/20/2016
    It should be illegal for the IRS to target taxpayers, period. Audits should be random, and there should be no mechanism for making it otherwise. We are to be equal under the law, innocent until proven guilty, and them crooked vultures in D.C. should have no tool at their disposal for damaging political enemies.
    Like (5)
    Follow
    Share
    Chris's Opinion Against
    ···
    04/21/2016
    The IRS does not and should not infringe on anyone's Constitutional rights. This bill is merely political retribution and another amazing waste of time by a Congressional Caucus trying to score points with a fringe group. To be clear if you as an individual or a group are advertising and advocating that taxes are illegal, too high, or ways around paying you should and will be invite increased scrutiny by the IRS. If not the IRS is not doing their jobs.
    Like (4)
    Follow
    Share
    Nick's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    07/11/2016
    Taxation is theft.
    Like (4)
    Follow
    Share
    DeanLA's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    02/14/2017
    The IRS is abusive and conservative's have already proved they were targeted by the IRS.
    Like (4)
    Follow
    Share
    Debra's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    06/19/2016
    Illegal is the IRS! Shut IRS down bc of their blatantly criminal behavior towards innocent tax payers!
    Like (4)
    Follow
    Share
    Tina's Opinion Against
    ···
    04/20/2016
    Seriously? The IRS and every other government entity should respect first amendment rights. There's no law needed when the Constitution covers it. And this law won't do much to deter those who will try anyway, as Republicans prove daily. Congress needs to stop wasting time on useless bills like this and do something worthwhile like pass a bipartisan budget, give the SCOTUS nominee an up or down vote or work together to help everyday Americans.
    Like (3)
    Follow
    Share
    J's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    04/21/2016
    Considering they are being used as a political weapon amongst other things, yes.
    Like (3)
    Follow
    Share
    Connor's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    04/19/2016
    Yes, never tread on American freedoms just for a few bucks.
    Like (3)
    Follow
    Share
    Siamopazzi's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    03/19/2017
    Congress shall make no law.....easy!
    Like (3)
    Follow
    Share
    wsdraperv's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    04/20/2016
    Irs is not intimidation or law enforcement. In fact, lets eliminate the IRS
    Like (2)
    Follow
    Share
    Thomas's Opinion Against
    ···
    04/19/2016
    It is illegal for any government agencies or bodies, including Congress, to do so; so this bill is moot. Spend your time passing bills that serve the common people.
    Like (2)
    Follow
    Share
    Moni's Opinion Against
    ···
    04/19/2016
    This is redundant. It's already against the law to do this, it's only a matter of being held responsible. (And until I see an alternative universe where for hundreds of years conservatives were enslaved, then freed then regularly faced with the fear of lynch mobs for decades and have been disenfranchised you lot are not being persecuted so quit being hyperbolic.)
    Like (2)
    Follow
    Share
    J's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    04/19/2016
    Why is this even a question?
    Like (2)
    Follow
    Share
    GrumpyMSgt's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    04/19/2016
    Yes! And how about rescinding the recent ruling that allows these clowns to confiscate citizens passports. Ridiculous!!
    Like (2)
    Follow
    Share
    Gary's Opinion Against
    ···
    04/19/2016
    🙄
    Like (2)
    Follow
    Share
    Libertarianus's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    04/19/2016
    Absolutely. For the IRS to target those who don't line up with the leftist authoritarian ideology is Orwellian at best. The only time it's fine to monetarily attack groups who don't agree with one's ideology is to simply boycott. Don't use the gun of the government to do that which you are too weak and cowardly to do your damn self.
    Like (2)
    Follow
    Share
    MORE