U.S. Reps. Peter Roskam (R-IL) and Joseph Crowley
(D-NY) introduced legislation to limit the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) ability to seize people’s money without first charging them with a crime.
The Clyde-Hirsch-Sowers-RESPECT Act seeks to rein in asset forfeiture abuse, Roskam, chairman of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight, said. The bill was named for small business owners victimized by forfeiture abuse.
“It’s clear to everyone involved that there was rampant abuse in the forfeiture program. The IRS and DOJ abused their authority and took money from people who did nothing wrong,” Roskam said. “With today’s legislation, we’re making sure they can never do it again. With the support of so many lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, we can finally put this ugly chapter to rest.”
During the last Congress, Roskam led an investigation into IRS and Department of Justice practices that led the IRS to change its policies and formally apologize to victims of forfeiture abuse.
U.S. Sens. Tim Scott (R-SC) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) are introducing companion legislation in the Senate.
“Civil asset forfeiture may have begun as a tool to combat criminal activity, but it has morphed into a complex process that unfairly entangles innocent individuals. There is no question that the laws are deeply flawed and the process was riddled with abuse,” Crowley said.