US Federal 2023-2024 Regular Session

US Federal 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 SB175

Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act This bill rescinds unobligated funds that were provided by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for enforcement activities related to the determination and collection of taxes, for taxpayer services, for operations support for taxpayer services and enforcement activities, for business system modernization, and for a task force to research options for a free, direct electronic filing (e-filing) tax return system. The bill also rescinds unobligated funds that were provided by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 for expenses of theTreasury Inspector General for Tax Administration,Office of Tax Policy,U.S. Tax Court, andoffices within the Department of the Treasury that provide oversight and support for the IRS.Finally, the bill expresses the sense of Congress that the rescinded unobligated funds that were appropriated to the IRS by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 should be appropriated for the establishment and administration of an External Revenue Service.

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 HB191

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

US HB523

Permanent Tax Cuts for American Families Act of 2025 This bill makes permanent the increased standard tax deduction amounts enacted in 2017 as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Under current law, the standard tax deduction consists of a statutory base amount that is adjusted annually for inflation. For tax years 2018-2025, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act increased the standard tax deduction statutory base amounts to $24,000 (from $6,000) for joint filers, $18,000 (from $4,400) for head-of-household filers, and $12,000 (from $3,000) for single filers, which almost doubled the inflation-adjusted standard tax deduction amount for most taxpayers.Under the bill, the increased standard tax deduction statutory base amounts of $24,000 for joint filers, $18,000 for head-of-household filers, and $12,000 for single filers are made permanent. The bill also makes permanent the annual adjustments to such amounts for inflation.

US HB158

Citizen Legislature Anti-Corruption Reform of Public Service Act or the CLEAN Public Service Act This bill excludes Members of Congress from further retirement coverage under the Civil Service Retirement System or the Federal Employees Retirement System following the enactment of the bill. It also prohibits further government contributions or deductions from a Member's basic pay for deposit in the Treasury to the credit of the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund. This exclusion does not affect a Member's eligibility to participate in the Thrift Savings Plan.

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 SF1086

General education basic formula allowance increase by an additional three percent per year

US S01308

Requires assent of two-thirds of the members for any bill that enacts or increases tax revenues.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.