Report: IRS Investigated + Refused Non-Profit Status to Pro-Life Groups
The list of groups allegedly "investigated" unconstitutionally by the IRS keeps growing, and now includes potential involvement by a major Obama supporter.
According to The Washington Examiner, a non-profit law firm has been investigating a number of cases involving pro-life groups who were pressured by the IRS into not opposing Planned Parenthood policies or demonstrating outside their facilities.
The Thomas Moore Society reported Thursday at least two different groups were denied tax-exempt status because of their political positions. According to The Examiner:
In one case, the IRS withheld approval of an application for tax exempt status for Coalition for Life of Iowa. In a phone call to Coalition for Life of Iowa leaders on June 6, 2009, the IRS agent ‘Ms. Richards’ told the group to send a letter to the IRS with the entire board’s signatures stating that, under perjury of the law, they do not picket/protest or organize groups to picket or protest outside of Planned Parenthood,' the Thomas More Society announced today. 'Once the IRS received this letter, their application would be approved.”
The Examiner also reported Thursday:
The IRS also pressured another pro-life group about its religious activities. 'The IRS withheld approval of an application for charitable tax-exempt recognition of Christian Voices for Life, questioning the group’s involvement with '40 Days for Life’ and ‘Life Chain’ events,' according to the law firm. 'The Fort Bend County, Texas, organization was subjected to repeated and lengthy unconstitutional requests for information about the viewpoint and content of its educational communications, volunteer prayer vigils, and other protected activities.”
Planned Parenthood was a national supporter of the Obama campaign in 2008 and 2012. The Justice Department has started an investigation into the IRS matter, which began with allegations conservative and TEA Party groups were targeted by the revenue agency.