GOP preparing bill to deny funds for IRS ObamaCare agents

Republican Sen. Dean Heller (Nev.) is preparing legislation to prevent the Internal Revenue Service from hiring new agents to implement ObamaCare in light of the agency’s targeting of conservative groups.

The scandal has prompted fears that the IRS is incapable of neutrally enforcing major provisions of the healthcare reform law, including its individual mandate to buy insurance. 

“It is necessary that both Congress and the Department of Health and
Human Services [HHS] look closely at the money given to the IRS through the
healthcare law,” Heller wrote to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on
Tuesday.

{mosads}Policy experts say the Affordable Care Act created strict guidelines that federal tax officials will need to follow, but Republicans question whether the IRS can be trusted to remain nonpartisan as it implements President Obama’s signature law. 

“I believe we need to address [the issue] now, which may mean calling for a temporary suspension until it is clearer where this funding will go,” Heller wrote.

The IRS is responsible for the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate, and the tax subsidies that millions of people will receive to help them buy health insurance. The agency will also manage the law’s new streams of tax revenue from healthcare stakeholders.

Heller’s bill would suspend funding for new employees to carry out those functions, his office said. The measure is expected later in the week.