WASHINGTON – During a Senate Finance Committee hearing today, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a senior member and former chairman of the committee, secured the commitment of Billy Long, President Trump’s nominee for Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner, to support the IRS Whistleblower Program and utilize its full potential. Grassley noted the program has brought in over $6 billion to the Treasury and could raise billions more if fully used by the IRS.
Grassley also urged Long to upgrade aging technology at IRS and bolster protections for key taxpayer data, citing leaks from the IRS to progressive outlet ProPublica.
For decades, Grassley has spearheaded congressional efforts to hold the IRS accountable, strengthen taxpayer rights and boost customer service at the federal tax-collecting agency.
Video and excerpts from Grassley’s questions follow.
Securing Support for the IRS Whistleblower Program:
Grassley: “[The] IRS Whistleblower Program incentivizes those with knowledge of high-dollar tax evasion to alert the IRS, and this deals mostly with corporations. To date, this program has brought in over $6 billion to the Treasury and could raise billions more if used by the IRS to its fullest extent. Should you be confirmed, can I count on you to be supportive of the whistleblower program and work to ensure it's used to its full potential?”
Long: “I don't think there's a lot of daylight between Charles Grassley and Billy Long on that issue. And you were one of the...
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