House panel votes to censure IRS chief for alleged obstruction

A House committee voted Wednesday to censure IRS Commissioner John Koskinen for what Republicans allege was his obstruction of an investigation into whether the IRS improperly scrutinized Tea Party groups seeking tax-exempt status. Democrats on the panel denounced the action as a "travesty" that publicly defames an honorable public servant. The IRS had no immediate response, but Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew defended Koskinen as "an outstanding public servant of the highest integrity with decades of experience leading both public and private institutions."

Members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee voted 23-15 along party lines to approve a resolution condemning and censuring Koskinen and expressing the sense of the House that he engaged in a pattern of conduct inconsistent with the trust and confidence placed in him.

The resolution urges the 76-year-old Koskinen to resign or be removed by President Obama. It also requires him to forfeit his government pension and any other federal benefits. Koskinen has vowed to finish his term, which ends in November 2017.

Oversight Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz said the resolution passed Wednesday was "a helpful first step" toward the impeachment of Koskinen, an option that is being considered by the House Judiciary Committee. The judiciary panel is scheduled to hold a hearing on June 22 to consider impeachment.