Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, it is unacceptable that our Nation's tax collectors have targeted organizations based solely on their political beliefs. Our Nation's strength depends on its citizens' freedom to organize and participate in the political process, and no branch of government should be used to harass and unfairly judge the American people.
The IRS' actions are not only troubling, but also further erode the American people's trust that public institutions will act impartially. It's unacceptable. This matter needs to be actively investigated, and those guilty of improper actions should be appropriately punished.
We cannot allow differences of political opinion to erode our Nation's best traditions and the rule of law. Americans cannot, and will not, accept judgment based upon their political beliefs. We must prevent this discrimination from ever happening again.