House Republicans voted Tuesday night to slash the IRS’s budget by 13%, leaving the delinquent agency a mere $9.8 billion for the next fiscal year. According to the Associated Press, the cut can perhaps be considered retribution for IRS targeting of conservative political groups. The AP quotes Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), “author of an amendment to cut the IRS tax enforcement budget by $353 million,” as saying, “The use of a government agency to harass, target, intimidate and threaten lawful, honest citizens was the worst form of authoritarianism.” Furthermore, the AP notes, “Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Mich., followed up with an amendment to cut $788 million more.” Reining in the abuse of power at the IRS begins with the power of the purse. More…