IRS Head: Targeting a ‘Loaded Term’ and ‘Didn’t Exist Here’

Acting IRS commissioner Steven Miller took issue with the use of the word “targeting” as it relates to the IRS’s singling out of tea-party and other conservative groups, calling it a “loaded term.” 

In an exchange with Republican representative Kevin Brady, Miller said, “I’m going to take exception to the concept of targeting, because it’s a loaded term,” and one that “describes something that didn’t exist here.” 

The acting commissioner went on to tell Brady he could not identify the individual employees in his agency who drew up the criteria that prompted agents to scrutinize conservative groups. “I don’t have names for you, Mr. Brady, but I’m willing to try to find that out,” he said.