– U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) praised the U.S. House of Representatives passage of the “Stop Targeting of Political Beliefs by the IRS Act” (H.R. 3865), which was introduced by U.S. Representative Dave Camp (Mich.). Blunt co-sponsored the Senate companion bill, which was introduced by U.S. Senators Jeff Flake (Ariz.) and Pat Roberts (Kan.) and is co-sponsored by 39 additional Senators.

The bill would protect the free-speech rights of 501(c)(4) organizations by prohibiting for one year the finalization of a proposed Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulation that would significantly limit the advocacy and educational activities of these groups. The bill would also prevent additional targeting of 501(c)(4) organizations by restoring the IRS 501(c)(4) standards and definitions that were in place before the start of the agency’s targeting of conservative groups in 2010.

“People in Missouri and across the country are rightly concerned about government overreach and political targeting that we’ve witnessed under this administration,” Blunt said. “I’m pleased the House has passed this common-sense bill, and I will continue fighting for more transparency and accountability in Washington.”