Koch-favorite Speaker Paul Ryan yesterday made sure the bill was brought to a vote on the House floor. And thanks to the Koch’s congressional stooges, the legislation passed 240-180.
Charles and David have got to be pleased. Their bought-and-paid-for Republicans in the House just came through in a big way. The brothers laughably claim that they support the legislation on principle — as a matter of “free speech” — but that isn’t the full story. The Kochs want to keep buying elections and are looking for an easier way to keep their spending under the radar.
Limited disclosure rules mean less transparency, and that Koch network donors will likely be more willing to siphon millions into the Kochs’ dark-money groups, as they won’t have to draw attention to themselves. And more money in the Koch network coffers mean more influence-buying for Charles and David, as they continue to promote their self-interested agenda that boosts their bottom line at the expense of working Americans.
The Koch Brothers Lobbied For A Bill To Prevent Disclosing Their Donors To The IRS
Charles And David Koch Provided “Lobbying Support” For A House Bill That Prohibited The IRS From Collecting The Information Of Donors Who Contributed $5,000 Or More To 501(c) Organizations
Reuters Reported That Charles And David Koch Provided “Lobbying Support” For A House Bill That Prohibited The IRS From Collecting The Information Of Donors Who Contributed $5,000 Or More To 501(c) Organizations. According to Reuters, “The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives voted on Tuesday to protect the identities of wealthy individuals and others who make anonymous, or ‘dark money,’ donations to politically active nonprofit groups. The measure, which drew lobbying support from billionaire industrialists Charles and David Koch, was approved in a 240-180 vote along party lines. It would prohibit the Internal Revenue Service from collecting the names and addresses of donors who contribute $5,000 or more to 501(c) organizations, a name that refers to the tax code section that covers them.” [Reuters, 6/14/16]
The Kochs Representatives The Bill Protected Free Speech
Koch Industries Philip Ellender Said The Bill Protected The American People’s Personal Beliefs
Koch Industries Philip Ellender Said The House Bill To Prevent The IRS From Collecting Information On Political Nonprofit Donors Helped “Protect The American People, The Right To Freedom Of Association — Protecting Them From Threats, From Intimidation, From Harassment Because Of Their Personal Beliefs.” According to the Washington Examiner, “Koch Industries is backing GOP legislation on the House floor this week to block the IRS from collecting information about donors to political nonprofits as part of their support for free speech and freedom of association, including anonymous advocacy, a representative for the business says. Philip Ellender, president of government and public affairs for Koch Industries, told the Washington Examiner that the bill, authored by Rep. Peter Roskam, R-Ill., ‘helps protect the American people, the right to freedom of association — protecting them from threats, from intimidation, from harassment because of their personal beliefs.’” [Washington Examiner, 6/14/16]
Koch Industries General Counsel & Freedom Partners Chairman Mark Holden Said That IRS Targeting “Was A Despicable Abuse Of Power”
Freedom Partners Chairman Mark Holden Said That “The IRS’ Targeting Of Conservative And Free Market Organizations Was A Despicable Abuse Of Power Designed To Silence Individuals And Groups By Eroding Our Fundamental Freedoms Of Free Expression And Association.” According to a press release from Freedom Partners, “Freedom Partners Chairman Mark Holden issued the following statement: ‘We are grateful that Speaker Ryan, Chairman Brady, Majority Whip Scalise and Rep. Roskam have shown strong leadership in putting this bill on the House floor for a vote. It is another important step toward reaffirming Americans’ natural right to free speech and association, while protecting them from threats, harassment and intimidation because of their personal beliefs. The IRS’ targeting of conservative and free market organizations was a despicable abuse of power designed to silence individuals and groups by eroding our fundamental freedoms of free expression and association.’” [Freedom Partners, 6/13/16]
- Freedom Partners Chairman Mark Holden Said The First Amendment Must Be Protected From “The Relentless Attacks From Politicians Like Hillary Clinton” And “Many Others On The Left Who Are Determined To Eviscerate And Rewrite The First Amendment To Target And Limit The Rights Of Those With Whom They Disagree.” According to a press release from Freedom Partners, “We thank the House Republican leadership, as well as Senate Majority Leader McConnell, for continuing to defend our natural rights of free speech and association against those who want to undermine it. Keeping and protecting First Amendment rights for all Americans, regardless of political views or affiliations, is an ongoing and increasingly difficult struggle. This is because of the relentless attacks from politicians like Hillary Clinton, Senators Schumer, Warren, Whitehouse, Merkley, and many others on the Left who are determined to eviscerate and rewrite the First Amendment to target and limit the rights of those with whom they disagree based on partisan politics.” [Freedom Partners, 6/13/16]
The Koch’s Front Groups Sent A Letter Supporting The “Preventing IRS Abuse And Protecting Free Speech Act”
AFP, GenOpp, Freedom Partners, LIBRE And 60 Plus Were Part Of A Coalition Which Signed A Letter In Support Of “Preventing IRS Abuse and Protecting Free Speech Act”
AFP, GenOpp, Freedom Partners, LIBRE And 60 Plus Were Part Of A Coalition Of Over 90 Organizations Which Signed A Letter In Support Of Rep. Roskam’s “Preventing IRS Abuse and Protecting Free Speech Act.” According to a post on the Americans for Prosperity website, “Dear Member, As organizations that represent the interests of millions of taxpayers across the country, we write in support of H.R. 5053, the ‘Preventing IRS Abuse and Protecting Free Speech Act,’ sponsored by Rep. Peter Roskam (R-‐Ill.). This legislation would eliminate the Schedule B form for 501(c) organizations, which includes identifiable information of contributors to 501(c) organizations.” The letter was signed by over 90 organizations, including AFP, Generation Opportunity, Freedom Partners, LIBRE and 60 Plus. [Americans for Prosperity, 6/13/16]
Freedom Partners Also “Applauded” The House For Considering The Bill
Freedom Partners “Applauded” The U.S. House Of Representatives For “Scheduling Consideration Of H.R. 5053, The Preventing IRS Abuse And Protecting Free Speech Act” Because “The Bill’s Passage Is Particularly Important In Light Of New Efforts By Senate Democrats To Rewrite The First Amendment.” According to a press release from Freedom Partners, “Today, Freedom Partners applauded the U.S. House of Representatives’ leadership for scheduling consideration of H.R. 5053, the Preventing IRS Abuse and Protecting Free Speech Act, reaffirming Americans’ right to free speech and association by protecting them from political targeting and intimidation by the federal government. This bill would repeal the Internal Revenue Service requirement that nonprofit organizations submit a Schedule B (private donor information) as part of their Form 990 annual returns. The bill’s passage is particularly important in light of new efforts by Senate Democrats to rewrite the First Amendment, and to force charities and other nonprofits to report their donors’ private giving to the government. These efforts are designed to discourage free speech and chill unpopular opinions.” [Freedom Partners, 6/13/16]
American commitment Also Backed the Bill
American Commitment Urged Congress To Pass H.R. 5053, Which Would Prevent The IRS From “Seizing Private Donor Lists,” Since There Was “No Legitimate Reason For The IRS To Have Confidential Donor Information.” According to a web post by American Commitment, “The IRS requires nonprofit groups to provide them with their donor lists. Obama’s IRS claims that it keeps this information confidential, but on numerous occasions, these donor lists have been leaked to the public or allegedly used inside the IRS to target donors to conservatives groups for audits and harassment. There is no legitimate reason for the IRS to have confidential donor information. The only possible uses are misuses and abuses. Tell Congress to VOTE YES on H.R. 5053 to STOP the IRS from seizing private donor lists!” [Action.AmericanCommitment.org, 6/13/16]
AFP Praised The House For Passing The Bill
The Preventing IRS Abuse And Protecting Free Speech Act Passed The House
The Preventing IRS Abuse And Protecting Free Speech Act Passed The House Largely Along Party Lines. According to the Hill, “The House passed legislation Tuesday that would generally prohibit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from requiring tax-exempt groups to report the identities of donors on annual returns — the latest measure the chamber has approved to place limits on the agency. The bill passed on a largely party-line vote, 240-182.” [The Hill, 6/14/16]
AFP Specifically Praised Speaker Ryan & Reps. Roskam And Brady
AFP Federal Affairs Director Christine Harbin On The House Passage Of The “Preventing IRS Abuse and Protecting Free Speech”: “We Applaud Members Who Voted In Favor Of Free Speech, Especially Representative Roskam, House Speaker Paul Ryan, And House Ways And Means Chairman Kevin Brady.” According to a post on the Americans for Prosperity website, “Americans for Prosperity is pleased to see legislation repealing the Schedule B requirement pass the House of Representatives today with a 240-182 vote. ‘Every American has the right to support causes they believe in, without fear of harassment,’ said Director of Federal Affairs and Strategic Initiatives Christine Harbin. ‘It’s important that Congress defend individual privacy and our right to free speech without fearing abuse by government bureaucrats, and H.R 5053 will do just that. We applaud members who voted in favor of free speech, especially Representative Roskam, House Speaker Paul Ryan, and House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady for their consistent opposition to IRS efforts to restrict free speech. Following today’s vote, we encourage the Senate to take up companion legislation.’” [Americans for Prosperity, 6/14/16]