Larson: Republicans are Holding Up Aid to Israel So They Can Let Wealthy Tax Cheats Off the Hook

Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement opposing House Republicans’ plan to hold up aid for Israel so they can undercut the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) ability to go after wealthy tax cheats and fraudsters. 

“While we had hoped Speaker Johnson would follow through on the bipartisan tenor he struck when he was elected, in one of his first acts as Speaker, he has disappointed immensely by holding up aid for Israel so Republicans can let wealthy tax cheats off the hook. This may score political points with his far-right faction, but it does nothing to advance the security and humanitarian needs of our allies abroad,” said Larson. “In exchange for security assistance to Israel, the Speaker’s bill would defund efforts to ensure the wealthy and well-connected pay their fair share and ignore the humanitarian needs of civilians in Gaza. Just 17 days from a government shutdown, and with the urgent need to support Israel and Ukraine, time is running out for the Speaker to get serious. Congress must act swiftly to support President Biden’s request for military and humanitarian aid.” 

Last year, Democrats provided new funding for the IRS to go after sophisticated tax cheats. More than $100 million in unpaid taxes from the wealthy were collected in the past month alone. With less resources dedicated to these audits, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that the House Republican plan would increase the deficit by $27 billion by allowing taxes owed by the ultra-wealthy to go uncollected.