GUEST
Rep. Steven Horsford, Democrat, Congressional District Four
BY AMY KINGSLEY -- Rep. Steven Horsford sits on the House of Representatives’ Oversight and Government Reform Committee. That means that he’s recently heard quite a bit of testimonyin the IRS scandal.
Employees of the agency’s office in Cincinnati delayed the approval of tax-exempt status for conservative groups with “patriot” or “tea party” in the name.
Some Republicans have suggested that plan may have come from outside the office — and even from the White House itself. Rep. Horsford dismissed such speculation.
“Let me be clear: There is absolutely no evidence that’s come before the Oversight and Government Reform Committee that implicates the White House or the president or the administration as a whole,” Horsford said. “This is an isolated incident with some rogue IRS tax employees out of Cincinnati who were told to stop by their supervisor and chose to continue anyway.”
“I think it is irresponsible for people to make any type of other assertion at this point because the facts simply don’t lead there.”
Immigration Reform
Rep. Horsford supports immigration reform that includes a pathway to citizenship. But he belongs to the Congressional Black Caucus, and has some concerns about the possible elimination of diversity visas.
Historically, those visas aided immigrants from Ireland. But recently, they have been used by Caribbean and African immigrants who want to become citizens.
“I will support a comprehensive bill that includes a pathway to citizenship for the 11 million individuals who are either out of status or who are currently undocumented and that ensures the same opportunity for all communities to have a pathway to citizenship and that does not leave any community out.”
Immigration reform must be tough, but fair, he said. And it must create a pathway to full citizenship. Any alternatives that would include something less than full citizenship simply will not work, he said.
“Is it fair that someone can come here and work, not bring their family, have their children separated from them and not be able to pursue permanent, full citizenship? Should we have second-class citizens in America?”