While House conservatives are working to rein in IRS abuses by impeaching its commissioner, the Republican leadership is doing its best to protect the IRS from accountability.

Sixty-seven House Republicans have joined in introducing a resolution (H Res 494) to impeach IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. The resolution, introduced by Oversight Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz, accuses Koskinen of engaging in “a pattern of deception that demonstrates his unfitness to serve as Commissioner” during the investigation of IRS persecution of conservatives.

The resolution cites three statements made by Koskinen to the Committee that are now known to be “materially false”. It also points out that IRS records subpoenaed for the investigation were destroyed by the IRS while Koskinen was in charge.

Rep. Ron DeSantis, another outspoken supporter of impeachment, recently spoke on the House floor, saying “We are supposed to be the people’s representatives, we are supposed to be able to do justice for them when the government is not acting appropriately.” He called on the House to carry out “our basic constitutional duties.”

Despite the strong case against Koskinen, impeachment has run into a brick wall of opposition from the House Republican leadership. They have no interest in taking effective action to protect taxpayers. The Judiciary Committee has no plans to even hold hearings on impeacchment. Instead, they have suggested a resolution of censure that would go no farther than asking President Obama to fire Koskinen.

Chaffetz has indicated he might support a censure resolution, but only to prepare the way for a follow-up vote on impeachment. However, it is clear that there will be no action on impeachment unless more congressman join in support, forcing the GOP leadership to bring it to the floor. It will take strong, pro-impeachment, grass roots pressure on Republicans to do the job.

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