Lois Lerner Contempt of Congress Vote - May 8, 2014

On May 8, 2014, the United States House of Representatives’ Committee on Oversight and Government Reform voted to hold former Internal Revenue Service (IRS) official Lois Lerner in contempt of Congress. This decision stemmed from her refusal to testify about her role in the IRS’s management of applications for tax-exempt status by political groups, notably conservative organizations.

Background

In 2013, it emerged that the IRS had excessively scrutinized applications for tax-exempt status, particularly focusing on conservative groups using names such as “Tea Party” or “Patriot.” Lois Lerner, director of the IRS’s Exempt Organizations unit, faced allegations of mismanagement and potential bias in the processing of these applications.

The controversy centered around whether the IRS had inappropriately targeted specific political groups for inspection, thus influencing the political landscape by delaying or denying their tax-exempt status.

Key Events Leading to the Contempt Vote

Lerner was called to testify before Congress to explain the situation and the IRS’s practices. On two occasions, she appeared before the Oversight Committee but refused to provide substantive answers, invoking her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

The Oversight Committee, led by Chairman Darrell Issa, contended that Lerner’s refusal to testify impeded their investigation into the IRS’s actions. They argued she had waived her Fifth Amendment rights during an earlier testimony by making an opening statement, which she later refused to expand upon.

The Vote and Significance

The committee voted largely along party lines, with the majority of Republican members favoring the contempt charge, while Democratic members opposed it. The contempt charge was significant as it represented a high-profile clash between the executive branch agency, the IRS, and a Congressional investigation.

The vote to hold Lerner in contempt was a critical moment in a broader inquiry into the IRS, raising questions about governmental accountability, executive power limitations, and the protection of individual rights under investigation.

Aftermath

Following the committee’s decision, the contempt resolution was sent to the full House for approval. Ultimately, the House of Representatives supported the resolution, officially charging Lerner with contempt. Despite this, legal proceedings against her did not lead to prosecution.

The ongoing investigation into the IRS had broader implications, prompting discussions and reviews of IRS practices and policies regarding political group oversight. The issue remained contentious in the political discourse, reflective of deeper partisan divides over government accountability and the integrity of democratic processes.