Senate Panel Advances Trump’s Nominee to Lead IRS by One-Vote Margin

Reflecting the partisan divide, a Democrat leader made a last-minute appeal to replace the Republican nominee who has faced intense scrutiny.

After narrowly winning a Senate committee’s approval, President Donald Trump’s nominee for IRS director will advance to a full Senate vote.

The Senate Finance Committee’s June 3 vote, 14–13 in favor of nominee Billy Long, followed months of controversy along partisan lines and comes as the agency faces allegations of disorganization, mismanagement, and targeting political opponents.

During Long’s confirmation hearing in May, Democrats accused Long of lacking direct experience with tax policy. They also questioned some of his financial dealings and his professional involvement with a controversial tax-credit program.

Long, a former Congressman, said he was well placed to lead the agency given his understanding of how the IRS and Congress interact. He denied alleged conflicts of interest over his previous involvement in promoting tax-credit programs, saying that he had made all required disclosures to the Office of Government Ethics.

The hearing followed a five-month probe of concerns over Long’s post-Congress work. He has served as a business adviser since 2023.

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, reiterated his concerns on June 3, objecting to Long’s nomination over an alleged lack of tax policy experience and prior involvement in controversial tax credit schemes.

Meanwhile, the committee chair, Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), said Long’s responses to questions and concerns reassured him that Long is the right man to lead the IRS into a new era.

“Congressman Long clearly affirmed that all of his tax-consulting work was as an independent contractor,” and he never worked for any agency that prepared tax-credit applications, Crapo said.

Crapo said during the confirmation hearing last month he was “encouraged to hear Congressman Long clearly commit that the IRS will not and should not be politicized.”

Chuck Flint, executive director of the Alliance for IRS Accountability—a pro-taxpayer group—supports Long.

In a social media post on June 3, as the committee was considering Long’s nomination, Flint said Long would “restore the IRS’s focus to serving taxpayers.”

He urged the committee to “take a step in that direction today.”

By Janice Hisle

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

WNBA’s Sophie Cunningham Defends Caitlin Clark

Sophie Cunningham did the right thing in standing up for Caitlin Clark. She grew her fan base simply by doing the right thing.

Beijing and Moscow Double Down on Propping Up Tehran, Threaten to Give It Nukes

As anyone who understands how these things unfold could...

The Looming Threat To Our Homeland

After success of “Operation Midnight Hammer,” where U.S. military bombed Iranian nuclear facilities, the threat to America has never been greater.

Trump’s Bold Strike on Iran: A Necessary Move for Global Security 

Trump’s airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities have been hailed as a courageous and necessary action to safeguard American interests and global stability.

Groundhog Day came late this year to the Land of Smiles.

it’s the same rigmarole, on whatever pretext, the army commandeers the Thai state with vague promises to restore democracy at some unspecified future date.

Trump Reacts to New York City Choosing a Democratic Socialist Mayoral Candidate

President Donald Trump said Democrats have gone too far left, as evidenced by their choice of a New York City mayoral candidate who espouses far-left policies.

FedEx Lowers Revenue Outlook as Volume From China ‘Deteriorated Sharply’

In the fiscal fourth quarter, Fedex adjusted its network to match shifting demand, cutting Asia-to-America lane capacity by more than 35% in May.

5 Takeaways From Mamdani’s Upset Victory in NYC’s Mayoral Democratic Primary

Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old self-described socialist, won the Democratic Primary contest for the 2025 New York City mayoral election.

Fed Moves to Relax Key Capital Rule for Big Banks to Support Treasury Markets

Fed Reserve adopted draft proposal to ease a key capital requirement for nation’s largest banks, aimed at reducing regulatory pressure discouraging holding of low-risk assets.

Key Takeaways From Trump’s Whirlwind NATO Summit

Trump wrapped up 24-hour visit to the Netherlands for the NATO summit, securing agreement to increase defense spending commitments from allies.

Trump Accuses Spain of Wanting NATO ‘Free Ride’, Makes Trade Threat

Trump accused Spain of wanting a “free ride” after it refused to agree to the 5 percent of GDP defense spending target set at the NATO summit.

Trump Arrives in Netherlands for NATO Summit, With Defense Spending High on Agenda

President Donald Trump arrived in Amsterdam on Tuesday to attend the NATO summit, which is being held in The Hague from June 24 to 25.

Major Victory for Trump Administration and the American People on Deporting Criminal Illegal Aliens to Third Countries

Supreme Court decision allows DHS to deport criminal illegal aliens who are not wanted in their home country to third countries who've agreed to accept them.
spot_img

Related Articles