Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) has reintroduced the Diverting IRS Resources to the Exigent Crisis Today (DIRECT) Act, legislation aimed at reallocating funds from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Representative Brian Babin (TX-36) is an original cosponsor of the bill.
The DIRECT Act seeks to rescind unobligated funds allocated to the IRS under the Inflation Reduction Act, which provided $45.6 billion for enforcement activities, including hiring additional agents. Instead, the bill would redirect these funds to CBP to hire agents and strengthen security at the Southern Border.
“The Biden-Harris administration has allowed over 10 million illegal immigrants into our country while failing to prioritize border security,” Tenney said. “This legislation will halt the IRS from targeting middle-class families with audits and instead reinvest in border protection efforts.”
Tenney emphasized the importance of equipping CBP with the resources needed to address the border crisis and support deportation efforts. She also tied the legislation to the broader agenda of the next administration, referencing President Trump and former ICE Director Tom Homan, who she referred to as the “Border Czar.”
The proposal comes amid ongoing debates over the federal government’s border policies and IRS funding. Proponents argue the measure will alleviate pressures on CBP, which has faced record-high migrant encounters, while critics contend that reducing IRS resources could hinder efforts to close the tax gap.
Tenney reaffirmed her commitment to border security, stating, “It is vital to empower CBP agents to secure our borders and ensure a safer America.”
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