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Senators press Long on presidential directives, statutory limits and taxpayer privacy protections
Summary
Senators tested Representative Billy Long on whether he would resist presidential pressure to direct audits and on safeguards for taxpayer data, citing a federal statute Republicans and Democrats invoked during the hearing and the Littlejohn leak prosecution.
Senators across the aisle pressed Representative Billy Long on the legal limits of executive‑branch influence over tax administration and on steps he would take to protect confidential taxpayer information if confirmed as IRS commissioner.
The committee repeatedly cited a federal statute — referenced in the hearing as “26 USC 72 17” — that senators said bars members of the executive branch from requesting the IRS to start or stop an audit of a particular taxpayer. Senator Warren read the provision aloud and asked Long whether the president could lawfully direct the agency; Long repeatedly said he would “follow the law” and that, if such a prohibited…
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