This Monday, the Republican Party unanimously passed their first bill after winning a majority in the House of Representatives. The measure, which is the first initiative taken on by the 118th Congress, consists of cutting Internal Revenue Service (IRS) funds that would be used to hire some 87,000 new tax inspectors. During his inauguration speech, the new Speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy, confirmed that this would be the first measure to be taken:
Speaker McCarthy: "Our very first bill will repeal the funding for 87,000 new IRS agents." pic.twitter.com/nliLLLxraC2
- RNC Research (@RNCResearch) January 7, 2023
Upon approval, McCarthy issued the following statement:
Government should work for you, not against you. As part of the House Republican Commitment to America, I promised we would vote to repeal the Democrats’ army of 87,000 IRS agents on our very first day in the majority. Promises kept.
"The last thing we need is 87,000 IRS agents harassing us"
Monica De La Cruz, Republican representative for Texas' 15th District, said that Americans will be protected from IRS "overreach":
Last year, the Democrats appropriated $80B for the IRS. As a mom and small business owner, I know the last thing we need are 87,000 IRS agents harassing our community. We need better healthcare access, equipment for Border Patrol and tax relief - that's what I'm fighting for. I'm proud that my first vote in Congress will be to protect families and small businesses from IRS overreach. Studies show minorities, low-income Americans, and communities like South Texas are disproportionately hurt by IRS audits while elites get a pass. That's just wrong.
Last year, the Democrats appropriated $80B for the IRS.
As a mom and small business owner, I know the last thing we need are 87,000 IRS agents harassing our community.
We need better healthcare access, equipment for Border Patrol and tax relief - that's what I'm fighting for.
- Monica De La Cruz (@monica4congress) January 10, 2023
Republican Congresswoman for Georgia's 14th District, Marjorie Taylor Greene celebrated "defunding 87,000 IRS Agents (that target) American families" and Elise Stefanik, a New York GOP representative, backed De La Cruz's words by stating that "America needs to support border agents, police officers, and service members NOT more IRS agents targeting small businesses and families."
A "reckless bill"
The Biden Administration's response was not long in coming. The White House estimated that this repeal will increase the deficit by billions:
This reckless bill would increase the deficit by nearly $115 billion over 10 years according to a Congressional Budget Office estimate by allowing the wealthy to defraud and avoid more taxes.
The administration further noted that the GOP's priority is to "make life difficult for middle-class families":
With their first economic legislation of the new Congress, House Republicans are making clear that their top economic priority is to allow the rich and multi-billion dollar corporations to skip out on their taxes, while making life harder for ordinary, middle-class families that pay the taxes they owe. That’s their agenda; not lowering costs or cutting taxes for hard-working Americans – as President Biden has consistently advocated.
