Cramer: House Reins in IRS with Funding Cuts

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the U.S. House of Representatives voted to cut funding to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by 12 percent in response to the agency’s wasteful spending and targeting of private citizens based on their political beliefs. Congressman Kevin Cramer supported the Fiscal Year 2015 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, which marks the seventh annual appropriations bill passed by the House this year.

IRS funding cuts

Cuts total IRS funding by $341 million below 2014 levels and 12% below the President’s budget request, and prohibits funds from being used to target citizens based on their political beliefs. It also prevents spending on wasteful conferences or videos and excessive employee bonuses or awards, two key areas of waste identified in news reports this year. Further, the legislation blocks funding to implement the individual insurance mandate in Obamacare, and prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from transferring funds to the IRS to enforce other penalties in the health care law.

“The agency charged with collecting our taxes has been engaged in a mission creep, discriminating against taxpayers based on their political views and using Obamacare to expand its authority. These cuts are necessary to rein in an out-of-control bureaucracy,” said Cramer.

Small business loans

Provides $862 million for the Small Business Administration, including $195 million for small business loans, $115 million for small business development centers, and $15 million for women’s business centers.

Holding government accountable

Requires the Office of Management and Budget to submit the President’s budget on time each year or face a seven-month withholding of their budget until the request is submitted. Brings the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) under the annual appropriations process for the first time, freezes pay for the Vice President and other senior political appointees, and prohibits funds from the Executive Office of the President from being used to prepare the signing of any Executive Order or statement contradicting existing law.

“When Congress agreed to the omnibus spending bill in January, we had a chance to return to the regular order of debating and passing annual appropriations bills to fund the government. Now we are halfway through 2014 and the House has passed seven of these bills while the Senate has passed zero. We will continue doing our work, but we need the Senate to join us sooner rather than later,” Cramer added.