Republicans plan immediate IRS oversight if they take control of the House

Republicans plan to launch immediate oversight of the Internal Revenue Service if they win control of the House of Representatives.

Three Republicans vying to lead the House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over tax and trade policy in the House, each told Fox News Digital that shining a light on the IRS's conduct and practices is a top priority.

"Democrats have invested $80 billion into the agency to hire 87,000 new IRS agents," said Rep. Vern Buchanan, a Florida Republican who is the most senior member of the committee seeking the gavel. "Everyone is worried about what these IRS agents will do, and we're committed to holding the agency accountable."

That view was shared by the other two GOP lawmakers competing for the top spot on the committee: Reps. Jason Smith of Missouri and Adrian Smith of Nebraska.

Jason Smith, who is thought to be in a close contest with Buchanan for the top committee spot, argued that even without President Biden's administration pouring money into the IRS, it would still be a prime target for oversight.