501(c)(4) – Granite Grok

Shaheen Received Money from IRS Employees Union

Open Secrets identifies the National Treasury Employees Union, which covers the IRS, as Liberal. Go figure?

They only donate to Democrats, which includes New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen, according to this recent press release…

Senate Democrats received more than $570,000 from IRS Union

Washington, D.C. – This week news broke that Senate Democrats were guilty of pressuring the IRS to target many of the conservative groups that the embattled agency now stands accused of doing. But, a closer look reveals further evidence of Jeanne Shaheen’s feigning outrage: Shaheen was reaping the benefits from Democrats’ close relationship with the IRS, receiving $5,000 from the IRS Employees Union.

“While Democrats were pushing the IRS to target conservatives and other political enemies, their campaigns benefited from more than half a million dollars in campaign contributions from the IRS union,” said NRSC Communications Director Brad Dayspring. “After years of pressuring the IRS to crackdown on their political opponents, Jeanne Shaheen and her Democratic colleagues must be honest with taxpayers and return the IRS union’s contributions immediately.”

Senator Shaheen has been backtracking, back-peddling, disavowing any partisanship on the 501(c)(4) IRS scandal, but given how partisan she is, that’s hard to swallow. you’d be hard pressed to find her supporting the rights of TEA party groups anywhere, let alone New Hampshire.

So would you be surprised to know that she isn’t the only hyper-partisan New Hampshire Democrat who has taken issue with third party issue advocacy and targeted TEA Party groups (though not in writing to the IRS–that we are aw are of) and has also taken money from their union.

It’s Time for the IRS to visit the NHCAA

by Steve MacDonald

I just mentioned this, about Shaheen asking the IRS to go after 501(c) (4) groups, and look what falls into my lap.

Historically, the IRS has stayed out of politically charged battles over campaign spending. But lately the agency appears to be giving nonprofits a closer look. IRS rules permit 501(c)(4) social welfare groups to engage in politics, but not if it’s their “primary purpose.”

An Exempt Organizations Division work plan for fiscal 2011 outlines a new project examining the activities of 501(c)(4) groups. A recent IRS move to strip a nonprofit known as Emerge America and its local affiliates of their tax-exempt status has alarmed some in the nonprofit sector. The agency’s explanation to the group, which helps elect Democratic female candidates, hints that overly partisan organizations may not pass the “primary purpose” test.

I think the IRS is being used to harass legitimate non-profit activities, but…I also think that Sarah Warner’s New Hampshire Citizens Alliance for Action PAC fails to pass the smell test. They have only ever advocated for Carol Shea-Porter for Congress making it their primary political purpose. Based on his article they are in violation of the law.

Anyone out there interested in bringing this to the IRS’ attention? (Please?)

Will Jeanne Shaheen Send The IRS After the NHCAA?

by Steve MacDonald

The NHCAA is the New Hampshire Citizens Alliance for Action. They are a 501 (c)(4), and the political-action arm of the New Hampshire Citizen Alliance (NHCA). The NHCA is a 501(c)(3) and the local chapter of USA Action which, if it was in a vat and you scooped some out, it would provide you with a frothing cup of primordial progressive/socialist poison.

I point this out {the 501 (c)(4) part at least} because according to a letter signed by New Hampshire’s own Senator Shaheen, sent to the Internal Revenue Service, several Democrat Senators have expressed a concern about whether 501(c)(4) groups are engaging in any campaign activity which (according to the Senators) is expressly prohibited by their 501 (c)(4) status.