WASHINGTON — A Tea Party organizer choked back tears yesterday while claiming her group was unfairly targeted by the Internal Revenue Service because of its conservative beliefs.
“This is a willful act of intimidation to discourage a point of view,” an emotional Becky Gerritson of the Wetumpka, Ala., Tea Party told the House Ways and Means Committee.
“What the government did to our little group in Wetumpka, Alabama, is un-American.”
Four other groups joined Gerritson in bashing the IRS for delaying tax-exemption applications for up to three years, and burying the groups in questions about their activities.
The agency has come under fire following revelation that agents focused on groups with “tea party” and “patriot” in their names that applied for tax-exempt status.
Karen Kenny, of the San Fernando Valley Patriots, said the IRS asked for 90 pieces of additional information after it applied.
“I think I could’ve bought stock in Kinko’s,” Kenny said.
Sue Martinek,of the Coalition for Life of Iowa, told the committee that the IRS demanded that her group commit to not protesting Planned Parenthood as part of its application.
The group was also asked to submit information about its prayer meetings, she said.
“We never thought we would have to defend our prayer activities,” she said.
Democrats defended the IRS questioning of the groups, noting that many tax-exempt organizations are engaging in politics and contributing millions to political campaigns.
“None of these organizations were kept from organizing or silenced,” said Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.). “Each of your groups are highly political. With your application, you’re asking the American public to pay for that work. We’re talking about a tax break.”
But Republicans on the panel pushed back, saying the groups were targeted because of their beliefs.
“No establishment should have to be here defending their constitutional rights,” said Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-Minn.).
Even several Democrats called the targeting a mistake and pledged to ensure that it doesn’t happen again.
“To the individuals testifying before us, to each and all of you, to the organizations they represent and all of the others who were caught up in this malfeasance, you are owed an apology,” said Rep. Sander Levin (D-Mich.).