During a House Ways and Means Committee hearing today, Rep. Aaron
Schock, R-Ill., grilled outgoing IRS commissioner Steven Miller about
the IRS targeting a pro-life group in Iowa.
"Their question, specifically asked from the IRS to the Coalition for
Life of Iowa: 'Please detail the content of the members of your
organization's prayers,'" Schock declared.
"Would that be an inappropriate question to a 501 c3 applicant?" asked
Schock. "The content of one's prayers?"
"It pains me to say I can't speak to that one either," Miller replied.
After Schock pressed him further, Miller explained that although he
couldn't comment on the specific case, it would "surprise him" if that
question was asked.
The report comes from the Thomas More Society, a national public
interest law firm for religious liberty.
From their report:
Coalition for Life of Iowa found itself in the IRS's crosshairs when
the group applied for tax exempt status in October 2008. Nearly ten
months of interrogation about the group's opposition to Planned
Parenthood included a demand by a Ms. Richards from the IRS'
Cincinnati office unlawfully insisted that all board members sign a
sworn declaration promising not to picket/protest Planned Parenthood.
Further questioning by the IRS requested detailed information about
the content of the group's prayer meetings, educational seminars, and
signs their members hold outside Planned Parenthood.
