A brand new bill just proposed by U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks has already been dubbed the Lois Lerner rule, after the IRS official who refused to testify before Congress.

The Alabama Republican introduced H.R. 2458, “which would terminate the employment of any federal employee who refuses to answer questions before a congressional hearing or lies before a congressional hearing,” Brooks told The Hill.

Lerner invoked her Fifth Amendment right of protection from self-incrimination and refused to testify after telling the House Oversight Committee she had done nothing wrong in regards to her IRS department’s targeting of conservative political groups.

“This is a statement which should not be made by federally appointed officials before a congressional hearing if they are faithfully carrying out the duties of their office,” Brooks told The Hill on Lerner’s refusal to testify.

Lerner, who has since been placed on paid administrative leave, infuriated GOP lawmakers who wanted her forced to testify.

The new bill, obtained by The Hill, has three simple sections:

SECTION 1. CAUSE FOR TERMINATION WHEN GRANTED IMMUNITY.

Any Federal employee who refuses to answer questions in a congressional hearing after being granted immunity shall be terminated from employment.

SEC. 2.  CAUSE FOR TERMINATION WITHOUT WAIVER OF Immunity.

Any Federal employee who, in a congressional hearing, refuses to answer questions specifically, directly, and narrowly relating to the official duties of such employee, without being required to waive immunity with respect to the use of answers or the fruits thereof in a criminal prosecution of such employee, shall be terminated from employment.

SEC. 3. FALSE TESTIMONY CAUSE FOR TERMINATION.

If three-fourths of the congressional body to whom the testimony was given finds that a Federal employee willfully or knowingly gave false testimony in a congressional hearing, then such employee shall be terminated from employment.

Though dubbed the Lerner rule for now, that last section could be nicknamed after quite a few federal employees who have recently testified before Congress on the many scandals stemming from the Obama Administration.

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Janeen Capizola

"And though she be but little, she is fierce." And fun! This conservative-minded political junkie, mom of three, dancer and one-time NFL cheerleader holds a bachelor of arts degree in political science. [email protected]. Twitter: @JaneenBPR

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