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The Internal Revenue Service is set to welcome a new leader under circumstances that have raised eyebrows in Washington and beyond. Former Missouri congressman Billy Long is scheduled to be ceremonially sworn in as IRS Commissioner on Friday, taking the helm of an agency that has faced significant challenges in recent years.
Billy Long is a Republican who served in Congress from 2011 to 2023, and won Senate confirmation last month in a 53-44 vote. This appointment comes despite concerns from Democratic lawmakers regarding Long’s past involvement with a tax credit scheme and questions about campaign contributions he received following his nomination by then-President-elect Donald Trump.
Long’s arrival at the IRS follows a period of interim leadership and substantial workforce reductions. These staffing cuts, part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to reduce the federal bureaucracy, have raised concerns about the agency’s ability to manage the upcoming tax filing season effectively.
Long’s congressional record includes sponsorship of legislation aimed at abolishing the very agency he now leads. This fact, coupled with his lack of formal experience in tax administration, has led to questions about the direction the IRS may take under his leadership.
Reports indicate that Long has communicated his intention to develop a new organizational culture at the IRS. In a message to agency employees, he stated, “I’m big on culture, and I’m anxious to develop one that makes your lives and the taxpayers’ lives better.” The significance of this approach remains to be seen.
This appointment follows a broader pattern in the current administration. Other Trump appointees, including Education Secretary Linda McMahon and FBI Director Kash Patel, have similarly advocated for significant changes or even the dismantling of the agencies they oversee.
The facts, as we now know them, raise important questions about the future of tax administration in the United States. As Billy Long takes office, both supporters and critics will be watching closely to see how he navigates the complex responsibilities of his new role.
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