While this is a great idea, it's reprehensible that ALL GOP Senators weren't invited to participate in this letter. And since Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) seems to have been the instigator of this, I blame him for refusing to invite Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), who is arguably the MOST CONSERVATIVE, the strictest CONSTITUTIONALIST, in the United States Senate, as well as Jim DeMint. Only Jim DeMint is up there with Mike Lee, according to both myself, and the Heritage Action Scorecard, which awards both Senators with a 99% rating.

And to be clear I called Senator Mike Lee's Washington, D.C. offices, and spoke to his staffer, John Taylor, who confirmed that he was unaware of Senator Lee being invited to participate, and he indicated that based upon his knowledge of the letter, Senator Lee would have loved to support it.

What kind of politician would refuse to include a young superstar Senator like Mike Lee, who has joined Jim DeMint at the top of the Senate's conservative senators? Perhaps one who doesn't want to share the spotlight, in a display of inflated ego, even during a fight for his political life? I'm sorry, but I don't buy the excuse offered by Team Hatch.

This is reprehensible. How can Senator Hatch claim to be on the same team as Mike Lee, Jim DeMint, and his conservative betters, when he won't invite them to support an effort of such fundamental importance?

I realize this stuff happens all the time, but it isn't good, and I'm tired of accepting this sort of behavior. This is the sort of issue that should garner the support of EVERY Republican Senator. Every single GOP Senator should have been on that letter, and the fact that they weren't, speaks volumes. Depending upon the situation, either about Senators Hatch & Portman, or the Senators not on that list. Based upon my knowledge of both Senators, Mike Lee & Jim DeMint, should have been at the top of the letter, and weren't invited due to a desire to look like he's 'just as conservative' as Mike Lee.

I spoke to Senator Hatch's Washington, D.C. office as well, and Hatch press staffer Matt Harakal said that they weren't invited, because they weren't on the Senate Finance committee, and because they weren't from states team Hatch was aware were affected. I suppose that's as good an excuse as one can have for not inviting Senators Mike Lee, Jim DeMint, and others, but it's inexcusable, IMHO, to refuse to include the men most will recognize, along with Senator Rand Paul, as the soul of the Tea Party/9.12 Project movement in the U.S. Senate!

Well, at least they did, in fact, send this letter to the IRS; it is SORELY needed! I only wish Senator Hatch would act in a generous, magnanimous manner befitting a man who has been in the U.S. Senate for over a third of a Century (since 1977)!

 

From the Blaze:

Twelve GOP Senators have sent a letter to IRS Commissioner Douglas Schulman demanding answers to concerns that the agency may be targeting the Kentucky 9/12 Project specifically, in addition to other conservative-leaning groups.

“It is critical that the public have confidence that federal tax compliance efforts are pursued in a fair, even-handed, and transparent manner – without regard to politics of any kind,” wrote the Senators.

They continued, “It is imperative that organizations applying for tax-exempt status are able to rely on a consistent and foreseeable review structure from the IRS. Any significant changes to the IRS review process should be implemented only after appropriate notice and opportunity for comment from the public and affected parties.”

The move was pushed by Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch and Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, joined by Senators Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), John Cornyn (Texas), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), John Thune (R-S.D.), and Rand Paul (R-Ky.).

The Blaze reported in February that the Kentucky 9/12 group filed for non-profit status back in December of 2010. They finally heard back from the IRS on Valentines Day of this year. (A mere 14 months after they sent in an initial request.) Their return message was not in regards to any issues or concerns brought up in there original application, rather a letter requesting detailed documentation to answer 30 questions with sub-bullets (88 total separate inquiries) and only a two-week period to comply.

 

READ MORE HERE:   http://www.theblaze.com/stories/gop-senators-call-on-irs-to-explain...