The organization spent at least $25 million on political advertising last year, according to the Times.
“I wish I could say I am surprised,” Ryan added, “but I am not.”
As 501(c)(4) organizations, the groups can raise millions of dollars to influence elections.
They can, however, also be small-scale tea party groups — many had contended that the were singled out by the IRS.
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp questioned the White House’s decision.
“There continues to be an ongoing investigation, with many documents yet to be uncovered, into how the IRS systematically targeted and abused conservative-leaning groups,” the Michigan Republican said. “This smacks of the administration trying to shut down potential critics.”
In 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court in its Citizens United decision lifted the limits on donations by labor unions and companies to 501(c)(4) groups. This allowed Crossroads, the largest of them, to raise large sums outside the limits that apply to candidates’ campaigns and traditional party committees.
“Enormous abuses have taken place under the current rules, which have allowed groups largely devoted to campaign activities to operate as nonprofit groups in order to keep secret the donors funding their campaign activities,” said Fred Wertheimer, president of Democracy 21, which advocates limits on money in politics.