Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, is introducing the Tax DODGER Act. (Getty)
The bill also establishes a new section in the law that could consider a federal job applicant ineligible for hire if they have "seriously delinquent" tax debt, unless already granted a hardship exemption.
"If you don’t pay taxes, you should not work for the federal government," Ernst said.
"I am ending the ‘rules for thee, but not for me’ mentality in Washington."
Ernst highlighted a recent Treasury Inspector General report showing that while 96% of IRS employees were found to be tax-compliant, more than 2,000 employees had past-due balances totaling more than $12 million as of the end of last year.
Meanwhile, a 2023 IRS report found 149,000 total federal employees owed $1.5 billion in tax liabilities for fiscal year 2021.
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She wrote to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in March that Americans and many lawmakers had "lost confidence in the IRS" and that he had an opportunity as the agency’s new ultimate boss to address several issues that don’t need congressional approval.
The lawmaker referenced past political weaponization of the agency – such as when Obama-era staffer Lois Lerner allegedly targeted conservative groups – as well as upgrading the IRS’ reportedly outdated technology.
As part of her initial effort last fall to forge a working relationship with DOGE leader Elon Musk, Ernst similarly launched a call for an audit of the IRS.
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If passed, the bill would require that reports on tax-scofflaw bureaucrats be sent on an annual basis to the Office of Personnel Management, Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, and House Oversight Committee.
Additionally, any agency leader may take personnel action up to and including the firing of a federal employee if there is administrative or judicial determination they understated their tax liability or failed to file a return.
Charles Creitz is a reporter for Fox News Digital.
He joined Fox News in 2013 as a writer and production assistant.
Charles covers media, politics and culture for Fox News Digital.
Charles is a Pennsylvania native and graduated from Temple University with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism. Story tips can be sent to charles.creitz@fox.com.
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