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RNC Sues IRS for FOIA Delays

RNC Chairman Reince Priebus
Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus / AP

The Republican National Committee (RNC) has filed a lawsuit against the IRS for delaying its response to the committee's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.

The committee sought information on the IRS' review process for the tax exempt 501(c)4 organizations after last year's reports of the agency targeting conservative groups. The request was filed on May 21, 2013, and the IRS has requested numerous delays to respond over the last 226 business days, according to the committee's statement.

"We’re filing this suit because the Obama administration has a responsibility to be transparent and accountable to the American people. The IRS has a legal obligation to answer our inquiry for these records," RNC chairman Reince Priebus said in a statement. "On Tax Day especially Americans deserve to know whether they can trust the agency to which they’re sending their taxes."

"If the IRS and the Obama administration don’t have anything to hide, why not answer the request? Their delays and distractions make Americans think they’re trying to cover up their actions, just like ex-IRS employee Lois Lerner. We’re going to keep fighting to hold the IRS and Obama administration accountable because Americans deserve a government that treats them fairly and not one that harasses them because of their beliefs nor an administration that goes after its perceived political enemies."

Published under: IRS , Reince Priebus