IRS Commissioner tells Noem IRS audit process remains at risk for abuse and targeting

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Kristi Noem, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, questioned IRS Commissioner John Koskinen yesterday on a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report that detailed flaws in the IRS audit selection process that could lead to targeting of organizations based on their political beliefs and other First Amendment protected views. The GAO is the nonpartisan investigative arm of Congress.

In the wake of the Lois Lerner scandal—which revealed the IRS targeted conservative groups – the House Ways and Means Committee asked the GAO to look into the IRS audit process for tax-exempt organizations. Noem and the committee were concerned the IRS could use its vast auditing power to target groups the same way. These fears were confirmed in the GAO’s report and Noem’s line of questioning.

GAO’s final report shows the current audit process is ripe for improper targeting. According to the GAO, “the control deficiencies GAO found increase the risk that EO (Exempt Organizations unit) could select organizations for examination in an unfair manner—for example, based on an organization’s religious, educational, political, or other views.”

The GAO report’s supporting findings include:

· IRS’s audit procedures are not sufficiently documented or followed, and in some instances, GAO found that even the IRS did not have a record of why certain cases were selected for audit.

· The same small group of people have been reviewing audit referrals, which are essentially third-party complaints made to IRS, for years without sufficient review or oversight of their decisions.

· Management within IRS does not consistently monitor selection decisions, which could allow people with bias to unfairly select organizations for audit.

The full report can be read here.

###

The recent call for a special legislative session to address education apparently has some legislators confused as to who returned your letter to is actually sign the document.

According to a storu ar KCCR this morning some legislators have their own thoughts as to where to return the letters to:

The deadline for those letters calling for a special session to be sent back to May is Tuesday. However, there has been some talk around the state on the clarification as to where exactly lawmakers need to send their letter back to calling for the special session.

State Senator Corey Brown of Gettysburg says he is skeptical to what exactly the motivation of May really is.

Brown says that if lawmakers feel a special session is needed, he is suggesting that they forward the petitions to either Legislative Research Council or the President of the Senate Lieutenant Governor Matt Michaels.

Read it here.

From KCCR news in Pierre:

State Representative Tim Rounds of Pierre returned home earlier this week after being hospitalized earlier this month with what was thought to be a mild stroke.

Rounds has not spoken publicly since his time in the hospital, and a family member said he needs time to rest and relax.

Read it here.

Noem Supports Legislation to Hold Sanctuary Cities Accountable for Failing to Enforce the Law

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Kristi Noem today helped the U.S. House of Representatives pass legislation to cut off certain federal grants for sanctuary cities that ignore federal immigration law.

“As a mom, I want to make our communities as safe as they can possibly be for our kids,” said Noem. “It broke my heart to see the grief that struck Kate Steinle’s family after she was murdered by a man who came here illegally and had a criminal history but was still knowingly allowed to stay in our country. We are a nation of immigrants, but we are also a nation where the rule of law applies – and for good reason. We need to secure our borders and that includes ending the practice of establishing sanctuary cities. That is what today’s legislation aims to accomplish.”

H.R.3009, the Enforce the Law for Sanctuary Cities Act, prohibits sanctuary cities from receiving federal grants to help pay for the incarceration of undocumented criminal immigrants. It also prohibits those localities from being eligible for COPS and Byrne law enforcement grants.
###

Law Enforcement Seeking Public’s Help with Suspicious White Van Targeting Children

Local law enforcement is seeking information into a suspicious vehicle that is believed to be attempting to abduct children in communities in eastern South Dakota. Three separate incidents in Britton, Redfield and Sisseton have been reported to law enforcement.

7-13-15, Britton, SD. Location – city park, described as white cargo van with side windows. No writing on the van. Up to four subjects approached two children and asked them to get into van.

7-15-15, Redfield, SD. Location- city park, described as white box van with no side windows. One subject approached two children and attempted to pull one child into the van.

7-21-15, Sisseton, SD. Location- public area, described as white cargo van with side windows. No writing on the van. Rust on the bottom of the driver side of van, starts behind the door and goes to the rear of the van. Front black metal bumper. One subject approached a child and asked the child to get into van.

The subject has been described as a white male approximately 200 pounds.
Law enforcement is asking parents to be vigilant and aware of their child’s whereabouts. Anyone with information is asked to contact their local law enforcement office.
-30-

Rounds Launches New Official Website

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced the launch of his new, permanent website, www.rounds.senate.gov.“My new website is user-friendly and easy to navigate, making it convenient for South Dakotans to contact me with their issues,” said Rounds. “Visitors to my website can send me their thoughts and concerns, receive help with a federal agency, learn how I’ve voted on legislation and much more.”

Rounds website was designed to better serve South Dakotans by giving them easier access to services and resources provided by his office. Suggestions on website improvements are welcome and can be submitted at www.rounds.senate.gov/contact/email-mike.

###

 

Thune: Multi-Year Transportation Bill Critical to Moving Transportation Projects Forward Without Disruption

“The right decision for the American people is to seize the opportunity to pass a bipartisan, multi-year transportation bill without delay.”

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today urged his colleagues to pass the Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy (DRIVE) Act, a bipartisan, multi-year transportation bill that includes important modifications to the Commerce Committee’s various legislative titles that cover key transportation safety and regulatory reforms. A section-by-section of the Commerce titles may be found here and a bill summary may be found here.

Below is an excerpt from Thune’s speech:
“[S]ome in this building believe it would be easier if we just passed another short-term extension.

“They are right, it would be much easier.

“But keeping highway and related transportation infrastructure projects funded for a few more months doesn’t address safety and regulatory issues we cannot afford to keep ignoring.

“Five months from now, if tax reform leaves us with new options, we can always decide to infuse additional funding into the bill before the Senate.

“But delaying action on transportation for five months could also compound our difficulties. Recall, there have already been 34 short-term extensions passed by Congress since 2009.

“A silent part of every argument for a short-term extension is, ‘let’s not address safety and other critical transportation needs.’

“The right decision for the American people is to seize the opportunity to pass a bipartisan, multi-year transportation bill without delay.”

###

SD celebrates 25th anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act

PIERRE, S.D. – Sunday marks the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Celebrations of the signing of the ADA by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990, are taking place across the nation and South Dakota.

Gov. Dennis Daugaard proclaimed July 26, 2015, as “Americans with Disabilities Act Day.” He highlighted the significance of the anniversary by celebrating “the contributions Americans with disabilities have made to our state” and the intent to “rededicate ourselves to empowering every individual with equal access and equal opportunity.” (Visit dhs.sd.gov to view Executive Proclamation online.)

The city of Sioux Falls hosted a celebration July 13, and other cities across South Dakota are hosting their own events through the end of the month, including Aberdeen, Brookings and Rapid City, to name just some. Celebrations will include everything from public mayoral proclamations and ice cream socials to medical equipment drives and picnics. (Visit dhs.sd.gov to access an online list of some of South Dakota’s ADA anniversary events.)

“With all the celebratory events taking place throughout the state, it’s clear South Dakota’s communities are making great strides to realize the dream of the Americans with Disabilities Act,” said state Department of Human Services Secretary Gloria Pearson, who spoke at the July 13 event in Sioux Falls. “The state continues to develop and promote the equal opportunity, independence and full participation of people with disabilities in our neighborhoods, communities and society.”

The ADA and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) give civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age and religion. The ADA and ADAAA also assure equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities for access to businesses, employment, transportation, state and local government programs and services, and telecommunications.

  

There’s the ocean thing going on, and I’m going on an alligator boat tour in an hour.

Rounds Applauds Committee Passage of Critical VA Accountability Reforms

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, today applauded the committee’s passage of several pieces of legislation aimed at increasing accountability at the scandal-ridden Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and improving veterans’ benefits and health care.

“We have a duty to make certain the VA is properly managed so they can provide timely, quality care to our nation’s greatest heroes,” said Rounds. “I’m pleased the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee came together to pass meaningful reforms to the VA system. I will continue to work to keep the VA accountable. Our veterans deserve better than the current structure.”

The committee approved comprehensive accountability measures – the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act of 2015 and a bill to prohibit the VA from granting bonuses to employees found guilty of misconduct – that seek to protect both veterans and taxpayers.

In addition, the committee today voted unanimously to approve the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2015 to boost veterans’ disability compensation to adjust for rising costs of living.

The Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act of 2015 (S.1082) gives the secretary of the VA firing authority over any delinquent employee within the department. This legislation seeks to expand on a provision included in the Veterans’ Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 that gave the secretary firing authority over senior executives in light of the wait-time scandal that erupted in Phoenix, Ariz.

The second accountability measure passed by committee was S.627 to prevent the VA from awarding bonuses to negligent employees. The bill also gives the VA authority to rescind bonuses paid out to employees who are later found to have violated a department policy or law.

Additionally, the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs approved the 21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery and Other Improvements Act (S.1203), an omnibus bill that includes several provisions to improve veterans’ health care and streamline veterans’ benefits services.

Each of the bills approved by the committee will now be reported favorably to the full Senate.

###