A Democratic congressman criticized Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) during a speech on the floor of the House on Friday after the congresswoman claimed the Inflation Reduction Act would create an army of armed Internal Revenue Service agents.
Rep. John Yarmuth (D-KY) said statements Boebert made during her speech were untrue, including the assertion that the IRS would be hiring 87,000 new armed agents, and he questioned why the congresswoman, who is known as a fierce Second Amendment advocate, would take issue with guns.
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“I know Mrs. Boebert would like everyone to be armed as they are in her restaurant, but that’s not what IRS agents do. I would implore my Republican colleagues to cut out the scare tactics, quit making things up, and debate the substance of this bill,” Yarmuth said, prompting applause from fellow Democrats.
Boebert rose to public attention as a Second Amendment advocate when she owned a gun-themed restaurant in Rifle, Colorado, called Shooters Grill, where the wait staff open carry. The restaurant closed this summer.
Like all Republicans, Boebert opposed the Inflation Reduction Act for its green energy spending and tax plans at a time of high inflation. Boebert delivered a fiery rant against the bill during a floor speech that twice exceeded her allotted time — sparking gavel pounding and a mic cut out. Boebert harped on a job posting for “Criminal Investigation Special Agents” that includes a requirement that they are legally allowed to carry a firearm.
“This bill hires 87,000 new IRS agents and they are armed and the job description tells them that they need to be required to carry a firearm and expected to use deadly force if necessary,” Boebert said.
“You’re using the power of the federal government for armed robbery on the taxpayers,” she added before she was cut off.
Republicans have roundly criticized the legislation, which House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) claimed was the “largest tone-deaf bill we’ve seen in this chamber in 230 years.” One $46 billion provision, in particular, has led to estimates that the IRS would hire 87,000 additional agents over 10 years to replace the 50,000 who are meant to retire in that time frame. However, the bill does not explicitly say that number as some Republicans have indicated.
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The large climate bill was sent to President Joe Biden’s desk Friday after clearing its last hurdle in the House with no GOP support. The bill will pour approximately $370 billion into energy security and climate change programs over the next decade, including efforts aimed at slashing greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 40% of 2005 levels before the year 2030. The bill was passed by the Senate on Sunday in a 50-51 vote.
The Washington Examiner reached out to Boebert’s office for comment.
