Why John Koskinen Is Refusing to Testify at His Impeachment Hearing
When the House Judiciary Committee convenes Tuesday for the first of two hearings regarding the possible impeachment of IRS Commissioner John Koskinen, the nation’s top tax collector won’t be there.
He didn’t have enough time to prepare.
In a statement released Monday, the IRS announced Koskinen would not be participating in the hearing, citing his busy schedule and the committee’s short timeline as reasons why:
“When the committee announced this hearing, he was returning from China after meeting with tax administrators of 43 nations. The committee’s quick timetable left him without the time to fully prepare for Tuesday’s hearing.
“In addition, he also has been preparing for a previous commitment to appear before a House Ways and Means Committee hearing on Wednesday. [He] believes there is an extensive record from the congressional investigations and previous hearings on the actions taken at the IRS.”
That “extensive record” is what has Koskinen in hot water in the first place. U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), chairman of the House Government Oversight Committee, who authored the articles of impeachment, is slated to testify, as will Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.), another member of the Oversight Committee. An unnamed Democrat witness will also testify.
Koskinen will provide written testimony ahead of Tuesday’s hearing. The Judiciary Committee will hold a second hearing in June, at which time outside experts will discuss the Oversight Committee’s findings and make recommendations about any further congressional action.
The IRS Commissioner is accused of failing to comply with a subpoena and making false statements under oath during Congress’ investigation into the agency’s apparent political-targeting scandal.
