Latest news with #JasonSmith
Fox News
a day ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Discussing America's Concerns With the Country's Leading Voices
On Sunday night, devastating news came out of Idaho, as Americans learned that a gunman opened fire on firefighters responding to a call — ultimately killing two of them. Because the heinous news broke during 'Sunday Night in America with Trey Gowdy,' the interviews he had prepared weren't aired as breaking news rightfully took priority. So today, Trey chose three conversations that didn't make it to air to share — ones that dive into a range of key issues in the country. First, Trey speaks with CIA Director John Ratcliffe about the ongoing war between Iran and Israel, and how badly Iran's nuclear program was damaged by U.S. strikes. Later, he speaks with Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO) about whether he believes the 'big, beautiful bill' will end up on President Trump's desk by July 4th, and welcomes U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche to break down major Supreme Court decisions recently made in Washington. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
CNBC
2 days ago
- Politics
- CNBC
Rep. Jason Smith on tax bill: I strongly oppose the argument that this bill adds to the deficit
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Rep. Jason Smith (R-Mo.) joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the fate of President Trump's tax and spending bill, whether the House can muster enough votes to pass the Senate's version of the bill, Elon Musk's criticism of the bill, and more.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Congressman Says 'Nobody Asked For The IRS To Be Americans' Tax Preparer,' Applauds Efforts To Shut Down The IRS Direct File Program
Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO) is celebrating the House-passed bill that would shut down the Internal Revenue Service Direct File program, a free federal tool that allows Americans to file taxes online without paying private companies. 'Nobody asked for the IRS to be Americans' tax preparer, filer, and auditor,' Smith posted on X on June 24. 'The House-passed One, Big, Beautiful Bill puts an end to the IRS Direct File Program.'Don't Miss: GoSun's breakthrough rooftop EV charger already has 2,000+ units reserved — become an investor in this $41.3M clean energy brand today. Invest early in CancerVax's breakthrough tech aiming to disrupt a $231B market. Back a bold new approach to cancer treatment with high-growth potential. Despite Smith's remarks, the Direct File program has received broad support from taxpayers and voters across the political spectrum. According to a Data for Progress poll conducted in April, 82% of likely voters said they support expanding Direct File to all Americans. That includes 80% of Republicans, 85% of Independents, and 81% of Democrats. The IRS launched Direct File using Inflation Reduction Act funds. It started as a small pilot in 12 states during the 2024 tax season and expanded to 25 states in 2025, serving 32 million eligible users. The tool was described as secure, simple, and always free. Kitty Richards, senior fellow at the Groundwork Collaborative, a progressive economic policy group, said Direct File was 'a crystal clear example of government efficiency at work. Taxpayers shouldn't have to pay exorbitant fees to predatory for-profit companies just to file their taxes.' According to Groundwork, IRS data and user surveys also backed the program's popularity. In 2024, 90% of surveyed users rated their experience as excellent or above average, and most reported filing in under an hour. By their estimates, Direct File saved taxpayers $5.6 million in fees during its first full rollout, and every dollar invested returned $160 in savings. Trending: This Jeff Bezos-backed startup will allow you to become a landlord in just 10 minutes, with minimum investments as low as $100. When news broke out in April that the Trump administration plans to discontinue Direct File for the 2026 tax season, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) called Direct File a 'massive success' that removed unnecessary middlemen. He accused President Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent of 'robbing regular American families to pay back lobbyists that spend millions to make tax filing more expensive and more difficult.' Staff working on the program were reportedly told weeks earlier that they would no longer be needed. The Department of Government Efficiency, once led by Tesla CEO (NASDAQ:TSLA) Elon Musk, reportedly played a role in weakening the IRS program. Musk posted in February that the Direct File development team had been 'deleted.' Meanwhile, the program critics like David Williams of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance argued that the IRS overstepped by building Direct File without explicit approval. 'The IRS created Direct File without congressional approval,' Williams wrote in April. 'In fact, the $15M from the Inflation Reduction Act was supposed to be for a study. Instead, the IRS built the software.' Still, many policy advocates and voters say the program filled a real need and made tax season less stressful. See Next: $100k in assets? Maximize your retirement and cut down on taxes: Schedule your free call with a financial advisor to start your financial journey – no cost, no obligation. Warren Buffett once said, "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die." Here's how you can earn passive income with just $ Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article Congressman Says 'Nobody Asked For The IRS To Be Americans' Tax Preparer,' Applauds Efforts To Shut Down The IRS Direct File Program originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Congressman Says 'Nobody Asked For The IRS To Be Americans' Tax Preparer,' Applauds Efforts To Shut Down The IRS Direct File Program
Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO) is celebrating the House-passed bill that would shut down the Internal Revenue Service Direct File program, a free federal tool that allows Americans to file taxes online without paying private companies. 'Nobody asked for the IRS to be Americans' tax preparer, filer, and auditor,' Smith posted on X on June 24. 'The House-passed One, Big, Beautiful Bill puts an end to the IRS Direct File Program.'Don't Miss: GoSun's breakthrough rooftop EV charger already has 2,000+ units reserved — become an investor in this $41.3M clean energy brand today. Invest early in CancerVax's breakthrough tech aiming to disrupt a $231B market. Back a bold new approach to cancer treatment with high-growth potential. Despite Smith's remarks, the Direct File program has received broad support from taxpayers and voters across the political spectrum. According to a Data for Progress poll conducted in April, 82% of likely voters said they support expanding Direct File to all Americans. That includes 80% of Republicans, 85% of Independents, and 81% of Democrats. The IRS launched Direct File using Inflation Reduction Act funds. It started as a small pilot in 12 states during the 2024 tax season and expanded to 25 states in 2025, serving 32 million eligible users. The tool was described as secure, simple, and always free. Kitty Richards, senior fellow at the Groundwork Collaborative, a progressive economic policy group, said Direct File was 'a crystal clear example of government efficiency at work. Taxpayers shouldn't have to pay exorbitant fees to predatory for-profit companies just to file their taxes.' According to Groundwork, IRS data and user surveys also backed the program's popularity. In 2024, 90% of surveyed users rated their experience as excellent or above average, and most reported filing in under an hour. By their estimates, Direct File saved taxpayers $5.6 million in fees during its first full rollout, and every dollar invested returned $160 in savings. Trending: This Jeff Bezos-backed startup will allow you to become a landlord in just 10 minutes, with minimum investments as low as $100. When news broke out in April that the Trump administration plans to discontinue Direct File for the 2026 tax season, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) called Direct File a 'massive success' that removed unnecessary middlemen. He accused President Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent of 'robbing regular American families to pay back lobbyists that spend millions to make tax filing more expensive and more difficult.' Staff working on the program were reportedly told weeks earlier that they would no longer be needed. The Department of Government Efficiency, once led by Tesla CEO (NASDAQ:TSLA) Elon Musk, reportedly played a role in weakening the IRS program. Musk posted in February that the Direct File development team had been 'deleted.' Meanwhile, the program critics like David Williams of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance argued that the IRS overstepped by building Direct File without explicit approval. 'The IRS created Direct File without congressional approval,' Williams wrote in April. 'In fact, the $15M from the Inflation Reduction Act was supposed to be for a study. Instead, the IRS built the software.' Still, many policy advocates and voters say the program filled a real need and made tax season less stressful. See Next: $100k in assets? Maximize your retirement and cut down on taxes: Schedule your free call with a financial advisor to start your financial journey – no cost, no obligation. Warren Buffett once said, "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die." Here's how you can earn passive income with just $ Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article Congressman Says 'Nobody Asked For The IRS To Be Americans' Tax Preparer,' Applauds Efforts To Shut Down The IRS Direct File Program originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
India Gazette
5 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Welcomed with open arms, lots of love and friendship": Group of representatives from Montana hail study visit to India
New Delhi [India], June 28 (ANI): The national capital is hosting ten representatives from the American state of Montana, who are in India on a study visit. The Americans praised their experience in the country and hailed India, calling their time here 'magical'. While speaking to ANI, Jason Smith, member of the board of directors of the Montana World Affairs Council, said, 'I've had the good fortune to visit India twice before. I've been eager to come back, and coming back with this group of young people and seeing it through their eyes is very special. I've always found my time in India to be magical. The people are warm and wonderful. The sights and the sounds are so unique. There's no place like it on planet Earth.' He noted that being in India with a group of eager students has made the experience much more special. Smith said, 'To be in this place with so many warm and wonderful people, with an eager group of young people, has made it just that much more special for me. There are so many wonderful things about living in Montana in the United States. It's beautiful, it's rural. There are many open spaces, but we do not have good Indian food. For someone like me, who loves to eat good food, being in Delhi and sampling some of the finest Indian dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner is a real treat'. Jason Smith is one of a group of ten representatives from Montana, comprising seven high school students and three chaperones (from World Affairs Council, Montana), who are on a study visit to India. Clara Depuy, while speaking to ANI, mentioned that she is looking forward towards exploring the fauna and flora of India, which is vastly different from that of Montana. Upon her visit, she highlighted, 'I've already learned so much just about expectation versus reality. Coming to India, I did not have anything to expect, but I had these kinds of preconceived notions just from what we learn in school or what we see from over on the other side of the world. And I think that's important to know that not everything is always exactly as it seems from the media, or just what you see on the outside'. Lara Larson, a graduate from Lockwood High School in Montana, told ANI, ' It's been really, really exciting to be able to come to a place that's so wildly different from something that I'm used to. So many flavours, so many colours, it's been so exciting to experience. I'm really, really excited for the Taj Mahal... I'm also really excited to experience the culture and learn more about the religion, especially. We read Siddhartha in our world class this year, and it felt very well timed with this trip because I really enjoyed that book, and I'm really looking forward to talking to people and getting to learn more about how people live their lives' Emily Brandenburg told ANI that reading about Siddhartha made her feel connected to India because it was her first experience with a 'non-Westernised version of religion'. She expressed enthusiasm for Bollywood and the Indian film industry. Alli DePuy, a teacher, told ANI, 'We have been welcomed with open arms, with lots of love, with delicious food and friendship.' The Consulate General of India selected the delegation in Seattle after their outstanding participation in EconoQuest 2025 at Montana State University and Academic WorldQuest 2025 at the University of Montana in Missoula. (ANI)
