IRS scandals threaten funding for health care law

[Omaha Steve]

http://apnews.excite.com/article/20130615/DA6UA6900.html

By STEPHEN OHLEMACHER

WASHINGTON (AP) - Mounting scandals at the Internal Revenue Service are jeopardizing critical funding for the agency as it gears up to play a big role in President Barack Obama's health care law.

Obama sought a significant budget increase for the IRS for next year, when the agency will start doling out subsidies to help people buy health insurance on state-based exchanges. Congressional Republicans, however, see management problems at the IRS as an opportunity to limit the agency's funding just as it is trying to put in place the massive new law.


In this June 3, 2013, file photo House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rep. Hal Rogers, R-Ky., right, talks with the chairman of the committee that funds the IRS, Rep. Ander Crenshaw, R-Fla., the House Financial Services and General Government subcommittee, on Capitol Hill in Washington during a hearing with acting IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. Republicans have fought the health care law since it was enacted in 2010 without a single GOP vote. Now the IRS scandals are getting some Republicans a timely excuse to to starve it by refusing funding for its implementation. “I think it’s safe to say they’re (IRS) not going to get the kind of increase they’re asking for,” said Crenshaw, R-Fla. “The question is, based on their bad behavior, are they going to end up with less money?” he said. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)


Republicans have been fighting the health care law ever since Democrats enacted it in 2010 without a single GOP vote. Unable to repeal the law, some Republicans hope to starve it by refusing to fund its implementation.

The IRS scandals are giving them a timely excuse.

FULL story at link.

[scarletwoman]

1. "The IRS scandals are giving them a timely excuse." How convenient!

Thanks for the post. I admit I hadn't connected those particular dots until reading this.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

2. Republicans are evil

[elleng]

3. Swell.

No surprise, tho.

[Omaha Steve]

4. Kick