Daniel Werfel testifies earlier than the Senate Finance Committee throughout his affirmation listening to on … [+]
The IRS has a brand new commissioner. On Thursday, Mar. 9, 2023, the Senate voted to substantiate Daniel Werfel to guide the IRS.
The affirmation vote was 54-42, with 4 Senators not voting, together with Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), John Fetterman (D-PA), and Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who weren’t obtainable as a result of medical causes.
Just one Democrat voted in opposition to Werfel—Joe Manchin (D-WV). Sen. Manchin defined his vote on Twitter, noting, “Whereas Daniel Werfel is supremely certified to function the IRS Commissioner, I’ve zero religion he will likely be given the autonomy to carry out the job in accordance with the regulation, and for that purpose, I can’t assist his nomination.” The tweet additionally included Manchin’s displeasure at his notion that the Treasury Division has “pandered to automakers and progressive extremist teams”—considered, amongst different issues, a reference to electric vehicle (EV) credits within the Inflation Discount Act.
Six Republicans crossed over to assist Werfel’s nomination: Cassidy (R-IA), Collins (R-ME), Grassley (R-IA), Murkowski (R-AK), Tillis (R-NC), and Younger (IN). All three Independents within the Senate supported the nomination.
Listening to
Werfel appeared earlier than the Senate Finance Committee for his affirmation listening to on Feb. 15, 2023, the place he was grilled on IRS funding, the tax hole, and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s directive that the IRS won’t improve audit charges for small companies and households making underneath $400,000.
Background
Werfel beforehand served because the interim IRS Commissioner for a number of months in 2013 after Steven T. Miller resigned underneath stress throughout the Lois Lerner scandal. Earlier than that point, he started his profession in public service on the Workplace of Administration and Price range (OMB), the place he served underneath 9 administrators of each political events.
Werfel has spent most of the last decade within the non-public sector at Boston Consulting Group. He graduated from Cornell College earlier than incomes his regulation diploma from the College of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He additionally holds a Grasp of Public Coverage from Duke College.
The final Commissioner, Charles Rettig, departed on Nov. 12, 2022, at the end of his term, which started on Oct. 1, 2018. Doug O’Donnell has been serving as performing Commissioner since that point.
Werfel’s time period will expire on Nov. 12, 2027.
