Press Release
Posted:
Washington – Today, Tax Subcommittee Ranking Member Mike Thompson (CA-04) and Oversight Subcommittee Ranking Member Terri Sewell (AL-07) led a letter alongside Ways and Means Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (MA-01) and Ways and Means Committee Democrats demanding answers from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent regarding the reckless firing of nearly 7,000 probationary IRS employees. The impacted employees were fired without any notice to Congress about where these individuals are located or the divisions in which they work.
The lawmakers wrote: “This is yet another example of the current administration’s efforts to dramatically reduce the size of the federal workforce without taking into consideration its impact on the American people or our government’s overall budget. As we are in the midst of this year’s tax filing season, mass layoffs at the IRS will undoubtably have negative consequences on tax administration and American taxpayers.
“Aside from the immediate harm and potential delays taxpayers will face, this is the first step in the administration’s unlawful attempt to abolish the IRS,” they continued.
The full text of the letter can be found here and below.
Dear Secretary Bessent,
We write to express our serious concern regarding reports that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) laid off nearly 7,000 of its 15,000 probationary employees without any notice to Congress about where these individuals are located or the divisions in which they work. This is yet another example of the current administration’s efforts to dramatically reduce the size of the federal workforce without taking into consideration its impact on the American people or our government’s overall budget. As we are in the midst of this year’s tax filing season, mass layoffs at the IRS will undoubtably have negative consequences on tax administration and American taxpayers. Aside from the immediate harm and potential delays taxpayers will face, this is the first step in the administration’s unlawful attempt to abolish the IRS. A mass termination of IRS employees is unprecedented.
As you know, the IRS functions as the United States’ main revenue collection agency. It ensures taxes are collected, fraud is investigated and prosecuted, refunds are timely paid, and taxpayers’ questions are answered. An efficient and properly staffed IRS is necessary for carrying out these essential functions.
Terminating thousands of employees, without any due process, will not only disrupt IRS functions, but will have catastrophic consequences for these public servants and their families. Given the severity of the consequences of an understaffed IRS, we urge you to halt any further plans for mass firings.