A last minute effort in Congress to push for an impeachment vote against the head of the Internal Revenue Service fell far short of the votes needed for victory, leaving more conservative Republicans fuming about the message and the lack of support to further investigate the Obama Administration's Tea Party targeting scandal.
Republicans led by Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) argued IRS Commissioner John Koskinen had deliberately refused to turn over documents to Congress, accusing him of actively impeding the Congressional investigation into the targeting of more conservative groups by the tax agency.
"Koskinen has gotten away with stonewalling Congress, obstructing justice, breaching public trust," Jordan said. "It’s time Congress held him accountable."
But while almost all fellow GOP lawmakers stuck with Jordan and others from the House Freedom Caucus on one procedural vote on the House floor, an overwhelming number of Republicans joined with all Democrats to send the impeachment resolution to a House committee, most likely killing the effort.
"I strongly support our motion to impeach the IRS Commissioner," said Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-KS). "At long last, hold an Obama official accountable."
The final roll call though was not close, as the House voted 342-72 to send the matter to the Judiciary Committee, where it may simply die a quiet death.
Credit: Jamie Dupree
Credit: Jamie Dupree
Democrats labeled it all a waste of time.
"There are many, many critical things that Congress should be spending its time on," said Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD). "But this is not one of them."
Here are the 72 Republicans who voted against delay on the IRS impeachment resolution:
Credit: Jamie Dupree
Credit: Jamie Dupree
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