| Advertisement |
Dec. 4 (UPI) -- President-elect Donald Trump has named former Rep. Billy Long, R-Mo., to lead the Internal Revenue Service. "I am pleased to announce that former Congressman Billy Long, of the Great State of Missouri, will be appointed to serve as the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service," Trump wrote Wednesday in a post on Truth Social.
Advertisement
"Since leaving Congress, Billy has worked as a business and tax advisor, helping small businesses navigate the complexities of complying with the IRS Rules and Regulations," Trump added.
Trump's nomination of Long signals his intent to fire current IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel -- nominated in 2022 by President Joe Biden -- before his term ends in 2027, as Republicans consider rescinding much of the Inflation Reduction Act's funding for the agency.
There's been "a Republican mandate from the people and the voters that we need to rescind as much of that as possible," House Ways and Means committee member Kevin Hern, R-Okla., said Wednesday.
Long attended the University of Missouri before dropping out to become an Auctioneer. He owned Billy Long Auctions and also worked as a talk radio show host before serving 12 years in Congress.
"Billy brings 32 years of experience running his own businesses in real estate and, as one of the premier Auctioneers in the country," Trump said. "He then served 12 years in Congress, because he 'felt it was important for his constituents to have a representative who has signed the front of a check!'"
In 2022, Long ran an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate. Trump did not endorse him and he lost in the Republican primary to current Sen. Eric Schmitt.
"I have known Billy since 2011. He is an extremely hard worker, and respected by all, especially by those who know him in Congress," Trump said Wednesday.
"Taxpayers and the wonderful employees of the IRS will love having Billy at the helm. He is the consummate 'people person,' well respected on both sides of the aisle."
