WASHINGTON _ The House Judiciary Committee has agreed to hold a Sept. 21 hearing to debate whether to impeach IRS Commissioner John Koskinen, delaying an effort by the House Freedom Caucus to force a floor vote on the matter Thursday.
"This hearing next week will give every American the opportunity to hear John Koskinen answer under oath why he misled Congress, allowed evidence pertinent to an investigation to be destroyed, and defied congressional subpoenas and preservation orders," the Freedom Caucus said in a statement. "It will also remove any lingering excuses for those who have been hesitant to proceed with this course of action."
A Freedom Caucus spokeswoman said that while the hearing will delay the floor vote, the caucus agreed to the terms since having Koskinen under oath for an impeachment hearing has always been a goal of Freedom Caucus Chairman Jim Jorday, R-Ohio.
"This puts all members on the record for or against impeachment after hearing him under oath," the spokeswoman said, indicating that either the Judiciary Committee or the Freedom Caucus will move forward with a vote after the hearing.
The Judiciary Committee confirmed Wednesday that it will hold a hearing to consider the articles of impeachment filed against Koskinen and that the IRS commissioner will be the sole witness. Koskinen was invited to testify at a hearing the panel held on his alleged misconduct in May but declined, saying he didn't have time to prepare after a business trip.
At the May hearing, Oversight Committee members who had filed the impeachment resolution argued that Koskinen destroyed evidence related to the IRS handling of applications from conservative groups seeking tax-exempt status, failing to comply with a congressional subpoena and making false statements to Congress under oath. The panel held a second hearing in June in which outside experts discussed whether further congressional action was warranted, but did not take action after that.
The Freedom Caucus said impeaching Koskinen will give Congress an opportunity to show it works for and answers to the American people, who they say are frustrated that "the powerful and politically connected" have been held to different standards than ordinary citizens.
