Thune Calls for the Resignation of Acting IRS Commissioner

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) today called for the resignation of Acting Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Steven Miller following the release of a report last night from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) on the shameful targeting of conservative groups.

“After reviewing the official IRS IG report released yesterday, which confirmed that top IRS officials knew about the agency’s harassment of conservative groups for over a year before it was made public, I am calling on Acting Commissioner Steven Miller to step down immediately,” said Thune. “The report indicates that the abuse of power in targeting certain Americans went on for at least an 18-month period, and any IRS official who knew about this misconduct but remained silent should be fired immediately. For the administration that claimed to be the ‘most transparent in history,’ the Obama administration’s credibility gap continues to grow at an alarming rate. This sort of breach of public trust is at best the result of incompetence and at worst the result of potentially illegal and malicious conduct.

“This report also calls into question the ability of the IRS to impartially oversee the implementation of ObamaCare. Taxpayers will soon be required to report their health insurance coverage when they file their federal tax return in order to determine if they meet the new health law requirements for minimum coverage. Whether the IRS can be trusted to administer the tax laws while handling sensitive health insurance information is seriously in doubt. This growing trust deficit is alarming and should give all Americans pause.”

The TIGTA report outlines how the IRS used inappropriate criteria to identify organizations for further review of their tax-exempt status based on their names or policy positions instead of using objective criteria. Further, the report contains detailed information about how senior IRS employees found out about this outrageous misconduct and kept this information from the public and Congress for nearly two years, only disclosing information after learning that the misconduct would be released in the Inspector General’s report.

Last year, Thune and several members of the Senate Finance Committee, which has oversight of the IRS, sent three letters to the agency urging it not to play politics with the review and evaluation of any non-profit 501(c)(4) organizations. The letters questioned the practices used by the IRS and requested a review of its procedures. The IRS’ responses to the letters repeatedly failed to disclose any improper scrutiny of conservative groups.

Herseth Sandlin will not seek political office in 2014

Former Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin announced moments ago, via facebook, that she will not be a political candidate in 2014.

She writes:

Dear Friends,

I hope you enjoyed a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend. With this post this morning, I’d like to do three things. First, to share this recent picture of Zachary—one of my favorites!Second, to say thank you for your friendship and kindness, your political support over the years, and the encouragement many of you have offered over the past few weeks to consider another campaign in 2014.

And third, to let you know that after carefully contemplating that option, my family and I have concluded that the future should continue to be focused on the plans we laid last year at this time. We’re looking forward to more quality time with family and friends here in Sioux Falls, up at the farm and out on the river. And my career at Raven Industries is everything I had anticipated and more, and continues to be very highly rewarding.

While I know you share my confidence that working together we could win a statewide race next year, I’m also confident that the decision not to run is the right decision for Max, Zachary, me and our entire family. Zachary will be starting kindergarten in the fall of 2014, just weeks before next year’s general election. Further, I have tremendous respect for my fellow team members at Raven, and I’m committed to the success of the company.

Please know that serving others will be in my heart always, and I will continue to do so, just not in the political realm for the time being. There is no way of knowing if there will be another opportunity to serve South Dakota in elective office, but I’m so grateful for the opportunity I did have in an earlier and different stage of my life and for all the great friends I made along the way.

My warmest regards to each of you. Enjoy a wonderful summer.

Stephanie

Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson backs gay marriage

Sen. Tim Johnson (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari, File)

From the Washington Post today:

By Aaron Blake, Updated: April 8, 2013

Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) on Monday became the latest Democratic senator to embrace gay marriage.

“After lengthy consideration, my views have evolved sufficiently to support marriage equality legislation,” Johnson said in a statement released through his office. “This position doesn’t require any religious denomination to alter any of its tenets; it simply forbids government from discrimination regarding who can marry whom.”

Johnson’s decision comes in the wake of several other Democratic senators who have switched in favor of gay marriage. Just three red-state holdouts remain: Sens. Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Mark Pryor (D-Ark.).

Landrieu and Pryor are both up for reelection in 2014, as was Johnson before he decided not to seek another term.

Johnson’s son, U.S. Attorney Brendan Johnson (D), is considered a top potential contender for his seat, as is former congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D). Former governor Mike Rounds is running on the GOP side.

Just two sitting GOP senators — Rob Portman (Ohio) and Mark Kirk (Ill.) — support gay marriage.

Spotted®: Time for me to say goodbye

Sen. Tim Johnson and his wife, Barb, receive a standing ovation from a standing room only crowd in their hometown of Vermillion Tuesday afternoon. Moments later, Johnson announced that he will not seek another term in the U.S. Senate next year. (Photo by David Lias)

Spotted®: Time for me to say goodbye.

Reaction to Sen. Johnson’s announcement that he won’t seek re-election

Statement by the President on Senator Johnson

Washington, DC – For more than three decades, Tim Johnson has dedicated himself to improving the lives of South Dakota’s working families.  From his early days in the state legislature to his distinguished career in the Senate, Tim has worked tirelessly to protect our environment, empower rural and Native American communities, and build a financial system that is better able to serve the American people.  Always a fighter, Tim’s return to the Senate floor after a life-threatening brain injury was a powerful moment and his recovery continues to inspire us all.  I look forward to working with Senator Johnson as he finishes his third term, and Michelle and I join the people of South Dakota in wishing Tim, Barbara, and their entire family all the best.

Farmers Union President Praises Sen. Tim Johnson for his Service

HURON— South Dakota Farmers Union President Doug Sombke released the following statement on the retirement announcement made today by Sen. Tim Johnson.

“Since he entered public service over three decades ago, Sen. Johnson has always been a true friend of the family farmer,” Sombke said. “Sen. Johnson has been a champion for those who make their living off the land and we’re extremely grateful for his service and his tireless work on behalf of family farmers and ranchers in South Dakota.”

“We would not have Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) laws in this country without Sen. Tim Johnson. He’s always been a strong supporter of farm bill legislation. He has been at the forefront of countless pieces of legislation that help family farmers and ranchers survive and succeed. South Dakota owes a lot to Sen. Johnson for all of the work he has done.”

“His leadership is second to none and I appreciate all of his work to make life better for agricultural producers in South Dakota and across the country. He’s always been a tireless advocate during times of trouble and times of success in agriculture. He’ll be sorely missed. I can’t thank him enough for his service.”

Sen. Johnson was awarded the National Farmers Union Golden Triangle Award 17 times over his congressional career. It’s the highest legislative honor given to members of Congress by National Farmers Union.

Statement from Gov. Dennis Daugaard:

“Through eight years in the state Legislature, 10 years in the U.S. House, and 18 years in the U.S. Senate, Tim Johnson has always worked hard for our state.  I congratulate Senator Johnson and wish him and Barb well in retirement.”

Statement from Governor Mike Rounds:

“I thank Tim for his many years of public service to our state and I wish him and Barb the very best,” said Mike Rounds, “Although we’ve disagreed on policy over the years, I’ve always respected Tim for his hard work on behalf of South Dakota.”

Statement from South Dakota Democratic Chairman Ben Nesselhuf:

“Senator Tim Johnson always shied away from the limelight, keeping his head down and working hard for South Dakota. Whether he was fighting for family farms, rural water systems, or renewable energy and economic development, Johnson delivered without pomp, and that’s why South Dakotans trusted him for so many years to do the people’s work in Washington.  He’ll long be remembered for the huge impact he made on every one of us here in South Dakota.”

Sen. Johnson press conference at USD Neuharth Center Tuesday

Sen. Tim Johnson will announce his future political plans tomorrow in Vermillion. Johnson, a Vermillion native, will hold a press conference at 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 26 at the Al Neuharth Media Center on the campus of the University of South Dakota. It is widely speculated that the senator will announce that he won’t seek re-election in 2014. In this Plain Talk file photo, Johnson and his wife, Barb, appear before a standing-room-only crowd in the Convention Center in Sioux Falls on Aug. 27, 2007. It was the senator’s first public appearance since suffering a life-threatening brain hemorrhage nine months earlier.

AP sources: SD Sen. Johnson won’t seek re-election

In this Oct. 14, 2009 file photo, Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., is seen on Capitol Hill in Washington. Democratic officials say Johnson intends to announce his retirement on Tuesday, March 26, 2013, a decision that gives Republicans a prime opportunity to pick up a seat in 2014. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari, File)

DAVID ESPO,Associated Press
THOMAS BEAUMONT,Associated Press

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Democratic U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota intends to announce plans to retire at the end of his term, Democratic officials told The Associated Press on Monday — a departure that gives Republicans a prime opportunity to pick up a seat as they attempt to win back control of the chamber in 2014.

Johnson, the chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, suffered a brain hemorrhage in 2006 and later returned to the Senate and won re-election in 2008 while sometimes using a motorized scooter.

The officials who described Johnson’s plans spoke on condition of anonymity, saying they were not authorized to pre-empt a formal announcement expected Tuesday in South Dakota.

Johnson is the fifth Democrat to decide to step aside at the end of the term in 2014, joining Carl Levin of Michigan, Tom Harkin of Iowa, Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia and Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey. Two Republicans also have said they plan to retire, and the GOP must gain six seats to win a majority.

Aware that Johnson might decide to retire, Democrats in South Dakota and nationally have discussed possible successors on the ticket, including Johnson’s son Brendan, a South Dakota U.S. attorney. The younger Johnson Monday said in an interview that he was unaware of his father’s decision and declined to discuss whether he would seek the office.

Former U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, a contemporary of Brendan Johnson and another heir to a South Dakota Democratic legacy, also is looking at running. A granddaughter of former South Dakota Gov. Ralph Herseth, Herseth Sandlin served six years in the U.S. House before being defeated for re-election in 2010.

Action within Johnson’s party is expected quickly. An open Senate seat is rare in South Dakota, and Republicans have gained an upper hand in the state, controlling the governorship, the Legislature, its other Senate seat and its lone U.S. House seat.

Brendan Johnson, appointed U.S. attorney in 2009, has never held elected office and faced questions about his father’s involvement in the confirmation process. Assets for the younger Johnson include his father’s advisers and donor base.

Herseth Sandlin also has an in-tact network and following in South Dakota, but she could face some problems in a potential primary with Johnson. She opposed to the 2010 Affordable Care Act, a position that is out of step with a majority of party loyalists.

Republican Mike Rounds, a popular former two-term governor, has announced his candidacy for the seat, and has been campaigning since last year.

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Espo reported from Washington.