IRS Commissioner calls targeting conservative groups a “foolish mistake” – Atlanta Business Chronicle

Acting IRS Commissioner Steven Miller was on the hot seat for nearly four hours today as the House Ways and Means Committee held Congress’ first hearing on the Internal Revenue Service’s targeting of conservative groups.

No, don’t call it targeting, Miller told the committee. That’s “a perjorative term,” he said, “a loaded term.”

What happened was more like “triage,” he said. The IRS division that handles applications for tax-exempt status is small, but gets around 70,000 applications a year. Some are simple and straightforward, and get quick approvals. Others need more examination.

“Politics is an area where we always ask more questions,” Miller said.

via IRS Commissioner calls targeting conservative groups a “foolish mistake” – Atlanta Business Chronicle.