Griffin: Financial Services Funding Bill Limits IRS and Helps Small Businesses

Statement

Congressman Tim Griffin (AR-02) today issued the following statement after the House passed the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2015 (H.R. 5016), which provides funding for the Treasury Department, the Judiciary, the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Executive Office of the President (EOP) and other agencies:

"With the IRS's track record of egregious government overreach, this bill keeps the IRS in check, while it also streamlines federal programs, eliminates wasteful spending and helps small businesses grow jobs. The bill cuts IRS funding below 2003 levels, prevents the agency from using funds to target individuals or groups based on political or religious beliefs, inhibits the IRS from implementing Obamacare's individual mandate and requires policies to safeguard taxpayers' personal information. It also prohibits funding for the President's executive orders that conflict with our current laws and brings transparency to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. This bill reflects Americans' priorities by reining in the federal government and prioritizing jobs and the economy."

H.R. 5016 provides a total of $21.3 billion in discretionary budget authority for fiscal year 2015, which is $566 million (2.6 percent) below the fiscal year 2014 discretionary allocation and $2.26 billion (9.6 percent) below the Administration's request. The bill eliminates funding for nine programs totaling $37.9 million and reduces funding for more than a dozen agencies. Moreover, the bill addresses the IRS's improper targeting of conservative groups, as well as prior misconduct. H.R. 5016 passed the House by a vote of 228-195.

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