Cleveland Plain Dealer
Rep. Mike Turner seeks jail time for IRS agents who launch political investigations
By Sabrina Eaton
May 13, 2013 

Dayton-area GOP congressman Mike Turner has teamed up with U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican, to introduce legislation that would make it a crime for Internal Revenue Service agents to launch politically motivated investigations. 

Their bill was prompted by an IRS official's admission last week that its agents targeted tea party organizations for intrusive examinations of their tax-exempt status. 

"Americans should not have to wonder if their government is actively looking to subvert them or their political views," said a press statement from Turner. "We live in a nation where respect for differing beliefs and a vibrant political discourse play an important role in shaping our government. This is about protecting the rights of all Americans, and their ability to freely express their political thoughts." 

Turner said it's currently up to supervisors whether to fire IRS employees who discriminate against taxpayers. The bill that Turner introduced in the House and Rubio will introduce in the Senate would require mandatory termination and criminal liability for IRS employees who deliberately violate a taxpayers' rights. It would set the maximum criminal penalty at 5 years in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both…

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