IRS Agents Endorse Kamala Harris
The union representing Internal Revenue Service agents has officially endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in her bid for the presidency, citing her support for policies that benefit the agency and its employees.
The National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), which represents IRS workers, announced its endorsement on Wednesday.
NTEU President Doreen Greenwald stated, “She supports the issues that matter most to our members,” according to Americans for Tax Reform.
The endorsement comes as little surprise to political observers, given Harris’s pivotal role in passing the Inflation Reduction Act during her tenure as Vice President.
The legislation included provisions to significantly expand the IRS, a move that the union sees as beneficial to its members.
Harris cast the tie-breaking vote in the Senate to pass the legislation, which allocated substantial funding to the IRS for hiring additional agents and modernizing the agency’s operations.
The Vice President has also proposed further expanding the IRS’s powers and workforce if elected president, per Americans for Tax Reform.
Critics, including Americans for Tax Reform, argue that the endorsement highlights a concerning alignment between the tax collection agency and Democratic politicians. They point out that the IRS union’s political action committee has overwhelmingly supported Democratic candidates and organizations in recent years.
According to data from Open Secrets, the union’s PAC directed 97% of its political contributions to Democrats in the 2022 election cycle, totaling $635,170. Recipients included the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, the Democratic National Committee, and numerous individual Democratic candidates for House and Senate seats.
Harris’s tax policy proposals have also drawn scrutiny. Her platform includes plans for approximately $5 trillion in tax increases over the next decade, including hikes on personal and small business income taxes, capital gains, corporate taxes, and estate taxes. She has also proposed implementing a carbon tax.
Supporters of Harris argue that these measures are necessary to fund critical government programs and address income inequality. However, critics contend that such tax increases could stifle economic growth and job creation in the private sector.
The endorsement has reignited debates about the relationship between government agencies, their unions, and political parties. Some Republican lawmakers have expressed concern about potential conflicts of interest, suggesting that IRS employees might be incentivized to support candidates who promise to expand their agency.
Meanwhile, Harris’s running mate, Tim Walz, has also received praise from the IRS union. As governor of Minnesota, Walz implemented various tax increases and fee hikes, even in the face of a budget surplus. His congressional voting record shows consistent support for IRS-friendly policies.
The endorsement comes at a time when the IRS is facing criticism for resistance to returning to in-office work post-pandemic. Even Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has expressed frustration with the union’s stance on remote work.
As the 2024 presidential race heats up, the IRS union’s endorsement of Harris is likely to become a talking point for both supporters and critics. It underscores the complex interplay between tax policy, government agencies, and electoral politics that continues to shape the American political landscape.
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