Billy Long facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Billy Long
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Official portrait, 2025
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| 51st Commissioner of Internal Revenue | |
| Assumed office June 16, 2025 |
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| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Daniel Werfel |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Missouri's 7th district |
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| In office January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Roy Blunt |
| Succeeded by | Eric Burlison |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
William Hollis Long II
August 11, 1955 Springfield, Missouri, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Barbara Long
(m. 1984) |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards | |
William Hollis Long II (born August 11, 1955) is an American politician, realtor, and auctioneer. He is currently the 51st Commissioner of Internal Revenue, a role he started in June 2025. Before this, he was a U.S. representative for Missouri from 2011 to 2023.
Billy Long is a member of the Republican Party. He was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010. His district covered a large part of southwestern Missouri, including cities like Springfield, Branson, and Joplin.
He was a strong supporter of Donald Trump. When he became the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, some people noted that he didn't have much experience in tax work. He had even suggested getting rid of the IRS and changing the tax system to a simpler "flat tax."
President Donald Trump chose Billy Long to lead the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The U.S. Senate approved his nomination in June 2025, and he officially started his new job in July 2025.
Contents
Early Life and Education
William Hollis Long II was born in Springfield, Missouri, on August 11, 1955. His family has lived in Missouri for many generations. He went to Greenwood Laboratory School and finished in 1973.
He then attended the University of Missouri from 1973 to 1976. Later, he graduated from the Missouri Auction School in 1979. In 1983, he earned a special certification from the Certified Auctioneers Institute.
Career Highlights
Billy Long had a long career as an auctioneer. He owned a company called Billy Long Auctions, LLC, from 1979 to 2011. He was even named "Best Auctioneer in the Ozarks" for seven years in a row! In 2016, he was added to the National Auctioneers' Association Hall of Fame.
He also hosted a talk radio show on KWTO in Springfield. Plus, he worked part-time as a realtor. He is a member of several important groups, including the National Association of Realtors and the National Rifle Association of America. He also used to be the President of the Missouri Auctioneers' Association.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
Billy Long was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2023. During his time in Congress, he supported a bill called the Fair Tax Act. This bill would have gotten rid of the IRS and replaced the income tax with a national sales tax.
In 2018, during a meeting about social media, a person interrupted the hearing. Billy Long jokingly started an auction chant, pretending to sell her phone. This made many people laugh.
In December 2021, he received a special award from the Emperor of Japan. This award, called the Order of the Rising Sun, recognized his work in improving relations between Japan and the United States.
Tax Consulting Work
In 2023, Billy Long worked as a salesperson for companies that helped clients get tax credits. He described himself as a "Certified Tax & Business Advisor" on his social media profile. He got this certificate after taking a short course.
He helped companies apply for a tax credit called the Employee Retention Credit (ERC). The IRS had warned people about companies that ask for a share of these tax credits. Billy Long said he only helped eligible companies.
In 2024, he also worked in Washington, D.C., to encourage the IRS to approve more tax credit claims.
Becoming Commissioner of Internal Revenue
On December 4, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump announced that he wanted Billy Long to lead the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This was interesting because Long had previously supported bills to get rid of the IRS. President Trump said Long was a "people person" and "well respected."
After his nomination, Billy Long received a lot of money for his old Senate campaign. He then used some of this money to pay back a loan he had made to his campaign. Some groups thought this was unusual for someone nominated to a government position.
Some Republican leaders supported Long's nomination. However, some Democrats were concerned. They pointed to his lack of experience in tax and his past efforts to eliminate the IRS.
In March 2025, while waiting for his Senate approval, he worked as a senior advisor in another government office. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on June 12, 2025, and started his new role as IRS Commissioner on June 16, 2025.
Political Views
Support for Donald Trump
Billy Long was an early and strong supporter of Donald Trump. He even said he came up with the phrase "getting on the Trump train." Trump has praised him as a hard worker.
After the 2020 presidential election, Billy Long supported Donald Trump's claims that there was voter fraud. He also supported a lawsuit that challenged the election results.
He also supported President Donald Trump's 2017 order that temporarily stopped people from certain countries from entering the U.S.
Energy Policy
During his time in Congress, Billy Long was part of the Energy and Commerce Committee. He believed that Americans should have access to affordable energy. He supported drilling for oil and voted to open more areas for oil drilling.
Tax System Views
Billy Long has said he is open to changing the American tax system to either a "flat tax" or a "fair tax." He believes the government takes too much money and that the tax rules are too complicated.
In 2011, he supported a bill that would replace the income tax with a 23% sales tax. He also supported a bill in 2015 that aimed to get rid of the IRS and replace taxes with a national sales tax.
Healthcare and Government Spending
In 2014, Billy Long introduced a bill called the Taxpayer Transparency Act. This bill would have required government agencies to label any promotional materials as "paid for by taxpayers." He proposed this after a large campaign to promote the Affordable Care Act.
Gun Control Stance
Billy Long was against stricter gun control laws. He believed that such laws would go against the Second Amendment (the right to bear arms). He also thought they would not stop gun violence effectively.
The National Rifle Association (NRA) often supported him because of his views on gun rights.
Views on Protecting Unborn Life
Billy Long holds a position that supports protecting unborn life. He has supported efforts to limit access to related services. He also believes that laws about this topic should be decided by individual states.
LGBTQ+ Rights
In 2015, Billy Long disagreed with the Supreme Court's decision that allowed same-sex marriage across the country. In 2022, he voted against a law that would require all states to recognize same-sex and interracial marriages.
Religion and Freedom
Billy Long sees himself as a supporter of religious freedom. He voted for laws that aimed to protect religious beliefs. He also supported keeping "In God We Trust" as the official motto of the United States government. He is a member of the First and Calvary Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Missouri.
Awards and Recognition
- He received the Order of the Rising Sun from the emperor of Japan in 2021.
- A medical clinic was named after him: the "Billy Long Medical & Dental Education Center."
- He received the Outstanding Young Alumni Award from Greenwood Laboratory School.
- He was inducted into the National Auctioneers Association Hall of Fame.
- He received the Guardian of Small Business Award from the National Federation of Independent Business.
- He received the Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence from the National Association of Manufacturers.
Images for kids
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Official portrait, 2025
