Representative Kenny Marchant (R-Texas) introduced H.R. 1152, the “Email Transparency Act.” This bill would prohibit IRS employees from using personal email for official government business.
Congressman Marchant explains:
“The Ways and Means Committee investigation into IRS political targeting revealed that, among other abuses, one of the agency’s top officials used her personal email address for official business. She put confidential taxpayer information at direct risk of falling into the wrong hands. This is a breach of IRS protocol and betrays the trust of the American people. It should be against the law.”
While IRS employees are discouraged from using their personal emails, it is not prohibited. Congressman Marchant stated:
The last thing hardworking taxpayers should have to worry about is the security of their confidential information being compromised due to IRS negligence or abuse.“