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Brian Jones co-authors resolution criticizing IRS attack on political groups

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Assemblyman Brian Jones (R-Santee) has co-authored a resolution to stand up for the free speech rights of all Californians, which he says have been under attack.

The resolution condemns recent allegations of political groups being targeted by the federal Internal Revenue Service.

“I agree with Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas); the IRS should be abolished,” Jones said in a statement released Friday. “When an arm of the government stops working for the people, and instead works against the people, it is time to get rid of it. To quote the Declaration of Independence, ‘whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it.’”

In recent years, officials at the Internal Revenue Service have allegedly targeted conservative political organizations seeking federal tax exempt status. These groups had their applications delayed and were asked to provide unnecessary information for determining tax status, such as what books their members were reading or what they had posted on social media. One group was even asked to detail the content of the prayers of the members of their organization, Jones noted.

Assembly Joint Resolution 25 (Gorell and Conway, co-authored by Jones) urges Congress and the president to conduct a thorough independent investigation and take action to prevent this misuse of power from ever occurring again.

The text of the resolution notes that “the federal government is entrusted by the people with great powers, including the power to tax, and the constitutional guarantee of checks and balances was first established to safeguard Americans from harassment or intimidation based on their political or religious beliefs.”

“The IRS has absolutely no credibility in the eyes of the American people,” Jones added. “This scandal has affected many organizations in California alone, and before the public can trust the IRS again, a thorough independent investigation needs to take place. We need to hold the government accountable, because we are the people, and the people hold the power, not the other way around.”

Ramona is among communities in the 71st Assembly District, which Jones represents.

To read the text of Assembly Joint Resolution 25,

click here

.

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