January 10, 2023

Gallego Votes Against McCarthy’s Billionaire Tax Scam

WASHINGTON, DC?– Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) voted against H.R. 23, the Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act, which makes it easier for the nation’s wealthy to cheat on their taxes. 

“Republicans said they would address inflation on day one, but instead their first bill in the new Congress is to make it easier for the ultra-wealthy to cheat on their taxes,” said Rep. Ruben Gallego. “When hardworking Arizonans are doing all they can to support their families, Republicans today chose to abandon them to help their billionaire donors. That’s not what the people of Arizona deserve, and I’ll lose no sleep voting against this egregious bill.” 

According to the Congressional Budget Office, H.R. 23 would add more than $114 billion dollars to the federal deficit over 10 years. Ultra-wealthy Americans are set to benefit enormously from this bill, which repeals important provisions including: 

  • $45.6 billion for tax enforcement activities to catch wealthy and corporate tax cheats; 
  • $25.3 billion in operations support for tax enforcement programs and taxpayer services, which is critical for ensuring taxpayers get refunds on time and phone calls answered; 
  • $403 million for the?Inspector General for Tax Administration, which promotes integrity, economy, and efficiency in tax administration; 
  • $153 million to beef up the?U.S. Tax Court?to resolve disputes between taxpayers and the IRS; and 
  • $15 million for the IRS to prepare a report on what it would take to create a?free, government-run tax e-filing system?so taxpayers can file themselves. 

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Rep. Ruben Gallego is a Marine Corps combat veteran who served in Iraq. He serves on the House Armed Services Committee, the House Natural Resources Committee, and the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.