GOP Wants Block on IRS Nonprofits Rule in Ukraine Aid Bill

Senate Republicans are seeking to add language blocking planned Internal Revenue Service restrictions on politicking by nonprofit groups to legislation on a U.S. aid package for Ukraine, Bloomberg reports.

Senator Bob Corker, the top Republican on the Foreign Relations Committee, said the IRS question was one of two matters holding up Senate passage of $1-billion in loan guarantees for Ukraine, which the House approved last week. The other is President Obama’s request to boost the U.S. contribution to the International Monetary Fund.

Republicans failed earlier this year in an effort to link a delay in the IRS rule change with the IMF increased contribution in legislation to fund the government through September 30. The proposed regulations, backed by the White House but opposed by the GOP and some liberal groups, spell out permissible election activity by nonprofit “social welfare” groups that have become major conduits for campaign spending.

The House has already passed legislation to delay implementation of the IRS rule for a year. Mr. Obama has threatened to veto the bill.