Promises Made? How Much of the IRS Funding Remains in Debt Ceiling 'Agreement'

Remember what House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said in his first speech to the 118th Congress?

“Our very first bill will repeal the funding for 87,000 new IRS agents,” McCarthy said.

WATCH:

Speaker McCarthy: "Our very first bill will repeal the funding for 87,000 new IRS agents." pic.twitter.com/nliLLxraC2

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) January 7, 2023

“Promises made,” McCarthy later said.

WATCH:

The House just approved its first bill: "repealing IRS funding."

Speaker Kevin McCarthy said after banging the gavel "Promises Made." pic.twitter.com/BBrjuSamzd

— Real Mac Report (@RealMacReport) January 10, 2023

However, it appears McCarthy was all bark and no bite.

When the House Speaker finally had the leverage to remove funding for 87,000 new IRS agents, he handed victory to the Uniparty.

$80 billion was allocated for the IRS over the next 10 years in the Inflation Reduction Act.

How much was cut in Kevin McCarthy’s ‘agreement in principle’ on the debt ceiling with Joe Biden?

Joe Biden, Kevin McCarthy Reach ‘Agreement In Principle’ on Debt Ceiling

Only $1.9 billion!

Several of McCarthy's colleagues criticized him for the agreement.

"Kevin says we can fight again NEXT year to rescind another year of the IRS $80 billion … but he simultaneously prevented that “fight” by agreeing to suspend the debt ceiling for TWO years. So there will be 85,260 more IRS agents rather than 87,000 to eat you alive. Big win," Rep. Dan Bishop (R-NC) said.

Kevin says we can fight again NEXT year to rescind another year of the IRS $80 billion … but he simultaneously prevented that “fight” by agreeing to suspend the debt ceiling for TWO years.

So there will be 85,260 more IRS agents rather than 87,000 to eat you alive. Big win. https://t.co/CHRRIxFI4j

— Rep. Dan Bishop (@RepDanBishop) May 28, 2023

"Of the $80 billion Democrats appropriated to the IRS over ten years, the “deal” rescinds $1.9 billion. You read that right. That’s the kind of “get” that’s so good McCarthy agreed to increase the debt ceiling $4 trillion," he added.

Of the $80 billion Democrats appropriated to the IRS over ten years, the “deal” rescinds $1.9 billion. You read that right. That’s the kind of “get” that’s so good McCarthy agreed to increase the debt ceiling $4 trillion.

— Rep. Dan Bishop (@RepDanBishop) May 28, 2023

No, $78.1 billion of it. https://t.co/HKOQPY4xW1

— Rep. Dan Bishop (@RepDanBishop) May 28, 2023

"$4 Trillion for keeping (effectively) bloated 2023 spending levels & maintenance of the Democrats’ wish list - crony IRA unreliable energy subsidies stay, IRS expansion 98% stays, work requirements weak and don’t apply to Medicaid," Chip Roy (R-TX) wrote.

I wish that were true. $4 Trillion for keeping (effectively) bloated 2023 spending levels & maintenance of the Democrats’ wish list - crony IRA unreliable energy subsidies stay, IRS expansion 98% stays, work requirements weak and don’t apply to Medicaid… https://t.co/f3i4fTlWRs

— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) May 28, 2023

"This “deal” is insanity. A $4T debt ceiling increase with virtually no cuts is not what we agreed to. Not gonna vote to bankrupt our country. The American people deserve better," Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) said.

This “deal” is insanity.

A $4T debt ceiling increase with virtually no cuts is not what we agreed to.

Not gonna vote to bankrupt our country. The American people deserve better.

— Rep. Ralph Norman (@RepRalphNorman) May 28, 2023

"Fake conservatives agree to fake spending cuts. Deal will increase mandatory spending ~5%, increase military spending ~3%, and maintain current non-military discretionary spending at post-COVID levels. No real cuts to see here. Conservatives have been sold out once again!" Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) added.

Fake conservatives agree to fake spending cuts. Deal will increase mandatory spending ~5%, increase military spending ~3%, and maintain current non-military discretionary spending at post-COVID levels. No real cuts to see here.

Conservatives have been sold out once again!

— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) May 28, 2023

"I listened to Speaker McCarthy earlier tonight outline the deal with President Biden and I am appalled by the debt ceiling surrender. The bottom line is that the U.S. will have $35 trillion of debt in January, 2025. That is completely unacceptable," Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) said.

I listened to Speaker McCarthy earlier tonight outline the deal with President Biden and I am appalled by the debt ceiling surrender.

The bottom line is that the U.S. will have $35 trillion of debt in January, 2025.

That is completely unacceptable.

— Rep. Ken Buck (@RepKenBuck) May 28, 2023

Despite the criticism, McCarthy is confident House Republicans will vote to pass the agreement.

The California Republican said "over 95%" of House Republicans were "overwhelmingly excited" about the agreement.

The House of Representatives is expected to vote Wednesday on the deal.

Reuters reported:

The president and House speaker were due to speak on Sunday afternoon to finalize the agreement, which has drawn fire from hardline Republicans and progressive Democrats. House Republicans expected to unveil legislation to pass the deal later on Sunday.

Members of the hardline House Freedom Caucus said they would try to prevent the agreement from passing the House in a vote expected on Wednesday. "We're going to try," Representative Chip Roy, a prominent Freedom Caucus member, said in a Sunday tweet.

But McCarthy dismissed threats of opposition within his own party, saying "over 95%" of House Republicans were "overwhelmingly excited" about the deal.

"This is a good strong bill that a majority of Republicans will vote for," the California Republican told reporters in the U.S. Capitol. "You're going to have Republicans and Democrats be able to move this to the president."

To win the speaker's gavel, McCarthy agreed to enable any single House member to call for a vote to unseat him, potentially making him vulnerable to ouster by disgruntled Republicans. The speaker said he was "not at all" concerned about that possibility.

So...what do you think?

Is it time for McCarthy to go?

Breached his agreement?

Please give me your vote below:

NATIONAL POLL: Do You Support REMOVING McCarthy As Speaker?