House Turns Aside Effort To Impeach IRS Chief

FILE - In this Feb. 10, 2016 file photo, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner John Koskinen testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington. A last-minute deal between conservatives and GOP leaders in the House has av... FILE - In this Feb. 10, 2016 file photo, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner John Koskinen testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington. A last-minute deal between conservatives and GOP leaders in the House has averted votes expected Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016 on a measure to impeach John Koskinen, the commissioner of the IRS. Instead, IRS Commissioner John Koskinen will testify before Congress next week. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File) MORE LESS
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The House has turned aside an effort by conservatives to impeach IRS Commissioner John Koskinen (KAHS’-kihn-ihn).

Conservatives have long wanted to remove Koskinen. They say he obstructed a congressional investigation into IRS mistreatment of tea party groups, charges that Koskinen has denied.

After agreeing to not force a vote on the issue during this year’s political campaigns, conservatives renewed their effort Tuesday, days before Congress plans to adjourn for the year.

But the House voted 342-72 to refer the impeachment resolution to the House Judiciary Committee. That in effect will prevent a Senate impeachment trial and kill the effort for now because of Congress’ upcoming adjournment.

Many Republicans opposed the effort. They say it would slow President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda and let Democrats accuse the GOP of being relentlessly partisan.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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