{"id":2446495,"date":"2025-06-12T13:14:01","date_gmt":"2025-06-12T17:14:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/senate-confirms-billy-long-as-irs-commissioner-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-06-12T13:16:48","modified_gmt":"2025-06-12T17:16:48","slug":"senate-confirms-billy-long-as-irs-commissioner-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/senate-confirms-billy-long-as-irs-commissioner-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Senate confirms Billy Long as IRS commissioner &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fsenate-confirms-billy-long-as-irs-commissioner-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2446495&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The Senate has confirmed former Republican Representative Billy Long as the new commissioner of the IRS with a vote of 53-44. Long, who served in the House from 2011 to 2023, will oversee the implementation of significant new tax legislation proposed by Republicans and manage budget cuts and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/judge-blocks-trump-bid-to-lay-off-1300-education-department-workers\/\" title=\"Judge blocks ... bid to lay off 1,300 Education Department workers\">workforce reductions initiated<\/a> by the Department of government Efficiency.His confirmation process faced controversy, especially over his previous work related to the Employee Retention Credit, which was aimed at preventing layoffs during the pandemic. During his hearings, Long was questioned about potential conflicts of interest, including allegations of promoting fraudulent tax practices and weather he could be used politically to target opponents. Despite discussions surrounding IRS funding, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted improvements in tax revenue, contradicting concerns that budget cuts would lower collection efficiency. Long is a known supporter of former President Trump and was involved in challenging the 2020 election results.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Senate confirms Billy Long as IRS commissioner<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2141711\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>The Senate confirmed former GOP Rep. Billy Long to lead the IRS, where he would be responsible for implementing the major new tax legislation Republicans are hoping to enact and overseeing cuts to budgets and the workforce initiated by the Department of Government Efficiency.<\/p>\n<p>The Senate voted 53-44 on Thursday to confirm Long, President&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Donald Trump&rsquo;s<\/a>&nbsp;pick for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/irs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">IRS<\/a> commissioner. No Democrats joined Republicans in voting to confirm Long.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/finance-and-economy\/3438682\/july-supplemental-security-income-19-days\/\">July Social Security direct payment worth $967 goes out in 19 days<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/finance-and-economy\/3438737\/second-round-june-social-security-payments-six-days\/\">Second round of June Social Security payments goes out in six days<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/finance-and-economy\/3438965\/republicans-plot-changes-salt-cap-senate-tax-bill\/\">Republicans plot changes to SALT cap in Senate version of tax bill<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Long, an auctioneer by trade, served in the House from 2011 to 2023. His nomination was marked by controversy over his <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >post-congressional work related<\/a> to the fraud-plagued Employee Retention Credit, a benefit meant to prevent layoffs during the pandemic.<\/p>\n<p>Long was asked about promoting the ERC and &ldquo;tribal tax credits&rdquo; during his confirmation hearing. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), the ranking member of the committee,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/tax.thomsonreuters.com\/news\/senators-grill-irs-nominee-on-conflicts-experience\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">accused Long<\/a>&nbsp;of &ldquo;steering clients to firms that sold faked tax shelters and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/job-creators-network-demands-biden-wh-cease-and-desist-pushing-small-businesses-to-comply-with-its-illegal-vaccine-mandate\/\" title=\"Job Creators Network Demands Biden WH &#039;Cease and Desist&#039; Pushing Small Businesses to Comply with Its &#039;Illegal&#039; Vaccine Mandate\">pushing small businesses<\/a> to unknowingly commit tax fraud.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Throughout the hearing, Long was also asked about the potential for Trump to use the IRS to punish his political enemies. For instance, the president has suggested revoking Harvard University&rsquo;s tax-exempt status.<\/p>\n<p>But perhaps the largest question facing the IRS is its funding. Democrats contend that the IRS needs more funding to better recoup funding from wealthy tax cheats and have argued that limiting funding will result in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/newsom-feeling-the-squeeze-after-data-shows-californias-chickens-have-come-home-to-roost\/\" title=\"Newsom under pressure as data reveals consequences of California&#039;s actions\">lower tax revenue<\/a>. Still, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said this week that the IRS is operating well.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Critics of the president&rsquo;s efforts to modernize the IRS warned that the effort would result in a 10% shortfall in receipts,&rdquo; Bessent testified before Congress. &ldquo;Instead, the opposite happened. April receipts this year were up 9.5% over the previous year. And receipts in May were up 14.7% over the previous year.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/finance-and-economy\/3438965\/republicans-plot-changes-salt-cap-senate-tax-bill\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">REPUBLICANS PLOT CHANGES TO SALT CAP IN SENATE VERSION OF TAX BILL<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>During the Biden administration, the Democrat-passed Inflation Reduction Act allocated tens of billions of dollars in new IRS funding to step up enforcement and take in more uncollected revenue. The Biden administration argued that the resources would be targeted at wealthy tax cheats. Since then, Republicans have been working to claw back that funding.<\/p>\n<p>Long has been a staunch supporter of Trump. He was one of the Trump&rsquo;s earliest supporters during his first presidential campaign and supported a lawsuit contesting the results of the 2020 election.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2141711\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2141711\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Senate confirms Billy Long as IRS commissioner with a 53-44 vote<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3360,"featured_media":2446496,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/billy-long-irs.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[46150,8362,3740],"class_list":["post-2446495","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-billy-long","tag-irs","tag-senate"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/billy-long-irs.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2446495","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3360"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2446495"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2446495\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2446499,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2446495\/revisions\/2446499"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2446496"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2446495"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2446495"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2446495"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}