WASHINGTON, DC – In the wake of revelations that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has singled out Tea Party-affiliated organizations for audits when they applied for tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(4) of the federal tax code, which waives taxes for social and welfare groups and allows them -- unlike other charities -- to participate in political activities if their “primary” activity is social welfare, U.S. Senator Jack Reed issued the following statement:

“The IRS was wrong.  This kind of allegation demands a serious investigation and there must be one.  The appropriate way to clarify whether any group is following the laws governing non-profits is greater transparency when it comes to political activity.”