New Republican House majority targets IRS funding
Among the most controversial things that last year's Inflation Reduction Act did was provide funding for 87,000 new IRS agents.
However, that move is something the House of Representatives' new Republican majority has wasted no time in trying to reverse it.
Bill claws back more than $70 billion
According to Fox News, the House voted by 221 to 210 on Monday night to pass a piece of legislation known as the Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act.
Introduced by Nebraska Rep. Adrian Smith and California Rep. Michelle Steel, the bill claws back the more than $70 billion which the Inflation Reduction Act allocated for additional IRS personnel.
"The last thing the American people need right now are more audits from an out-of-control, bloated IRS," Smith told Fox News on Monday.
"The Inflation Act funding for IRS would lead to the hiring of 87,000 new IRS employees tasked with raising enough revenue to pay for Democrats’ Green New Deal priorities," he went on to complain, calling the situation "unacceptable."
"Our bill leaves in place funding for customer service and IT improvements because IRS is in desperate need of reform, but it protects middle-class families from audits they cannot afford," the Republican lawmaker explained.
McCarthy: "Promises made"
Fox News noted that passage of the Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act falls in line with a pledge made by newly elected House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
"On the very first day, we’ll repeal the 87,000 new IRS agents because we think the government should be there to help you, not to go after you," McCarthy was quoted as telling the network just prior to last year's midterm elections.
The House just approved its first bill: "repealing IRS funding."
Speaker Kevin McCarthy said after banging the gavel "Promises Made." pic.twitter.com/BBrjuSamzd
— Real Mac Report (@RealMacReport) January 10, 2023
The House speaker was met with praise on social media by conservatives, including from Hollywood actor Rob Schneider.
The Biden Administration would rather tax the sh#t out of hard working Americans and send another 100 billion to Ukraine…
Thankfully, House votes to rescind billions in funding to the IRS in first major majority action with McCarthy as speaker | Fox News https://t.co/CjSMI2vD7r— Rob Schneider (@RobSchneider) January 10, 2023
However, Democrats like longtime Maryland Rep. Steny Hoyer accused Republicans of helping "the ultra-wealthy" while leaving "working families holding the bill."
Republican attempts to rescind IRS funding that holds the ultra-wealthy accountable is a dishonest attack on working Americans paying their fair share. I was proud to voice my opposition to this legislation, which leaves working families holding the bill, on the Floor tonight. pic.twitter.com/aHiNHIVl7N
— Steny Hoyer (@RepStenyHoyer) January 10, 2023
