Welch on Trump using the IRS for political goals: “The president is not restrained by what’s legal or not.” 

WASHINGTON, D.C.—In a Senate Finance Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) grilled President Trump’s nominee to lead the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Senator Welch asked former Congressman Billy Long about how cuts to IRS staff will affect the ability of the IRS to hold billionaire tax cheats accountable, and how gutting IRS funding and staff will hurt services and help for U.S. taxpayers. Senator Welch also questioned Mr. Long on President Trump’s actions to undercut institutes of higher education. 

Welch: The Administration, President Trump, has specifically gone after higher education. There have been significant cuts in research funding to Columbia, to Harvard, and to other universities. The president, who will be your boss, has explicitly stated that he wants to eliminate the tax-exempt status for Harvard. What’s your opinion about the recommendation by the president that Harvard loses its tax-exempt status?  

Long: I’m not over there. I haven’t seen why they would think that. But it’s something I want to get into and figure out once I’m over there. I’ve never been around it, so I don’t know. 

Welch: One of the concerns here is that if a president is using the IRS as a tool to achieve his goals— 

Long: That should not be done by anybody. 

Welch: Alright, so you will tell Trump to pound sand if he comes to you as Commissioner— 

Long: That’s my understanding. Like I said, if it is fair, not fair, legal, or not legal. If what you are saying is not legal, it should not be done and nobody should by able to do that.  

Welch: You know, the President is not restrained by what’s legal or not…The president is explicitly stating he wants to go after Harvard—or [another] higher education institution is next—you will be in the line of fire on that. And what I’m looking for from you is not something you are able to give me right now, and that’s assurances that you will tell the president ‘no’ when he is using the IRS for a political objective. 

Long: I said earlier the IRS will not and should not be politicized on my, or any, watch. 

Watch the full exchange here: 

■■■ 

  

Senator Welch’s Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the 119th Congress include:  

• Senate Committee on Finance   

• Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry 

Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit   

• Senate Committee on the Judiciary 

Ranking Member, Subcommittee on the Constitution   

• Senate Committee on Rules & Administration 

Learn more about his work by visiting his website or by following him on social media. 

  

###