Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB161

Introduced
1/9/23  

Caption

Prioritizing Troops Over Tax Collectors Act of 2023 This bill establishes the rate of basic pay for a member of the uniformed services at the minimum amount of $31,200. It transfers unobligated amounts made available to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 for enforcement activities to pay for the increase in basic pay. The bill also prohibits the IRS from hiring additional employees until the increase in the rate of basic pay is implemented.

Impact

If enacted, HB 161 would directly impact federal budgeting processes by reallocating resources from the IRS to the Department of Defense. This move signifies a shift in fiscal priorities, highlighting a preference for military funding over tax collection and enforcement capabilities, potentially affecting IRS hiring practices. Specifically, the bill also includes a provision that prohibits the IRS from hiring additional employees until the new pay rate for military personnel is implemented.

Summary

House Bill 161, titled the 'Prioritizing Troops Over Tax Collectors Act of 2023,' is aimed at increasing the minimum rate of basic pay for members of the Armed Forces to $31,200. This legislative proposal is significant as it prioritizes the compensation of active-duty soldiers over the operations of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). To fund this pay increase, the bill proposes to transfer unobligated funds from the IRS, derived from resources allocated under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, to the Department of Defense.

Contention

The bill's focus on reducing IRS resources and tying military pay to IRS funding may raise concerns among legislators and advocacy groups. Supporters of the bill might argue that it reflects a commitment to supporting the military. However, critics may contend that limiting IRS capacity could hinder tax collection efforts and enforcement, which is vital for maintaining federal revenue. The potential impact on IRS staffing raises questions about the balance between military support and maintaining effective government functions related to tax administration.

Companion Bills

US HB2591

Related bill RAISE Minimum Base Pay Act Raising the Annual Income of Servicemembers by Enhancing Minimum Base Pay Act

Previously Filed As

US HB23

Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act This bill rescinds certain unobligated amounts made available to the Internal Revenue Service by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 for its enforcement activities and for funding certain Department of the Treasury tax agencies.

US HB200

Federal Freeze ActThis bill bars pay raises for federal employees for one year and requires reductions in the number of employees at each federal agency.The bill prohibits agencies from increasing the basic pay of any employee for one year after enactment. Also in that first year, the bill prohibits each federal agency from increasing the number of its employees beyond the number employed on the date of the bill's enactment, except that the agency may increase such number when making appointments to positions related to law enforcement, public safety, or national security.Additionally, the bill requires reductions in force such that within three years of the bill's enactment the number of employees at each agency is 5% lower than it was on the date of the bill's enactment.

US HB37

David Dorn Act of 2023 This bill increases criminal penalties for rioting and related offenses (e.g., inciting a riot). Specifically, the bill increases the maximum prison term from 5 to 10 years. Additionally, if a fine is imposed for an offense, the bill sets a minimum fine amount of $1,000.

US HB252

Inflation Prevention Act of 2023 This bill establishes a point of order that, when the annualized rate of inflation exceeds 4.5%, prohibits the House and Senate from considering legislation that provides new budget authority and is estimated to increase the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. The prohibition may be waived in the Senate by an affirmative vote of three-fifths of the Senate.

US HB360

Require Employees To Uniformly Return Now Act or the RETURN Act This bill prohibits Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employees from teleworking during the period beginning five business days after the enactment of this bill and ending on the date on which the IRS certifies that the processing backlog for 2020 income tax returns has been eliminated. The Department of the Treasury may not obligate additional funds for the IRS until the date on which the IRS certifies the backlog has been eliminated.

US HB203

No Hires for the Delinquent IRS Act This bill prohibits the hiring of additional Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employees until the Department of the Treasury publicly issues a written certification that the IRS does not employ any individual who has a seriously delinquent tax debt (i.e., an outstanding tax debt for which a notice of lien has been filed in public records).

US HB7928

To direct the Secretary of Defense to revise the rates of basic pay for certain enlisted members of the uniformed services.

US HB34

Assuring Medicare’s Promise Act of 2023 This bill increases net investment income tax revenues by applying such tax to the trade or business income of certain high income taxpayers and includes the increased tax revenues in the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund.

US HB474

Require Employees To Uniformly Return Now Act or the RETURN Act This bill prohibits Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employees from teleworking during the period beginning five business days after the enactment of this bill and ending on the date on which the IRS certifies that the processing backlog for income tax returns for all taxable years has been eliminated. The Department of the Treasury may not obligate additional funds for the IRS until the date on which the IRS certifies that the backlog has been eliminated.

US HB191

Inflation Reduction Act of 2025This bill repeals the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and rescinds any unobligated funds made available by the act.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.