WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Andrew Clyde (GA-09) released the following statement after voting against Democrats’ so-called “Inflation Reduction Act,” which ultimately passed the House this evening by a vote of 220-207.  

“As Americans combat a recession and 40-year high inflation, Democrats are doubling down on their failed policies — indisputably wreaking more havoc on Biden’s broken economy. It is unconscionable that Democrats are burning through billions on liberal projects, contributing to our ballooning national debt, and burdening Americans with tax hikes amidst numerous economic crises.

“Additionally, Democrats’ bloated bill militarizes the IRS with an auditing army of 87,000 new agents to target middle-class Americans and small businesses. As someone who personally experienced being wrongfully targeted by the IRS firsthand, I can assure folks that it’s not a quick, cheap, or easy fight. Yet, since Democrats rejected my amendment to eliminate the IRS enforcement provision of this bill, this nightmare will soon become a reality for far too many Americans. Furthermore, the lengths the corrupt Biden Administration will go to weaponize our government agencies against political opponents and those who dare to raise grievances present legitimate concerns surrounding a new supersized IRS.

“Time and time again, Democrats in Washington prove their priorities lie with Big Government Socialism — not the American people. I totally reject the radical Green New Deal initiatives, crushing tax hikes, and partisan wasteful spending that consume Democrats’ Build Back Broke bill, and I fiercely condemn President Biden, Speaker Pelosi, and Senate Leader Schumer for selfishly plunging our economy into deeper turmoil at the expense of the American people.”

Rep. Clyde blasted the pricey package on the House floor. Watch his full remarks below. 

Background

One of the most egregious proposals in the Democrats' reconciliation bill would provide nearly $80 billion to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for hiring 87,000 new agents — resulting in the IRS employing more bureaucrats than the State Department, Pentagon, FBI, and Border Patrol combined.

After being wrongfully targeted by the IRS back in 2013, Rep. Clyde fully understands the arduous battle many small businesses, as well as low and middle-class Americans, will face under a supersized IRS. Due to his concerns, Rep. Clyde introduced an amendment that would eliminate the IRS enforcement provision in the spending package. House Democrats rejected the amendment, proving their desire to weaponize the IRS against hardworking Americans in order to pay for their liberal projects and policies.

Text of the amendment is available HERE.

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