The GOP-led House of Representatives passed the Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act.
The House of Representatives passed the Family and Small Business Taxpayer Act this past week via a 221-210 vote mainly along party lines. The legislation would rescind $80 billion in funding for President Joe Biden to hire 87,000 new IRS agents. It would also permit efforts to increase audits on American families. The bill was introduced by Congresswoman Michelle Steel.
“The Administration’s $80 billion plan to hire 87,000 new IRS agents and target Americans with a flood of audits was absurd from the start, especially as families and small business owners struggle under skyrocketing prices brought on by reckless government spending,” Steel said in a statement.
“As a lifelong tax fighter, I am proud to introduce this legislation with Rep. Adrian Smith to rescind the funding for the Biden Administration’s reckless attack on taxpayers and see it voted on as our new Majority’s first order of business. Republicans are hitting the ground running to deliver on our promises to American families.”
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy pledged passing this legislation would be his first act as speaker.
“Our very first bill will repeal funding for the 87,000 IRS agents,” McCarthy said Saturday morning.
In addition, the legislation mandates the IRS only spend new funding on customer service and IT improvements. This is instead of hiring new agents and other staff members such as auditors.
The bill heads to the Democrat-controlled Senate, where it will likely fail to pass. Democrats have largely voiced opposition to the bill, with former House speaker Nancy Pelosi calling it “shameful.”
“It is shameful, but not surprising, that House Republicans’ first order of business in this Congress is to protect corporate America and ultra-wealthy individuals who are illegally avoiding taxes,” Pelosi said in a statement.
