U.S. Senate committee advances nomination of Missouri’s Billy Long as IRS commissioner

A U.S. Senate committee has voted along party lines to advance the nomination of Missouri’s Billy Long as IRS Commissioner. 

The nomination of the former Missouri Congressman now goes to the U.S. Senate for a vote. 

Long, who represented southwest Missouri for 12 years in the U.S. House would be in charge of the administration of tax laws and enforcing them. 

A Senate vote on his nomination has not been scheduled yet.

Democratic Senator Ron Wyden strongly opposes Long’s nomination, accusing Long of illegally selling fake tribal tax credits in exchange for paying off a campaign debt.

Republican Senator Mike Crapo disagrees, saying that Long’s tax consulting work occurred as an independent contractor, followed federal guidelines, and that he “never performed work” for the company that sold the tax credits.