Along with trillions in wasteful spending, this budget would compound the difficulties middle and lower-class Americans are already facing. As a member of the House Budget Committee, I am committed to pushing back against Biden’s bloated budget at every turn.

Last Friday, the House Ways and Means Committee held a hearing with the Secretary of the Treasury, Janet Yellen, to discuss President Biden’s FY 2024 budget proposal. We discussed a range of topics. Over the last two years, this administration worked to inflate the unchecked powers of the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) by spending $80 billion to hire 87,000 agents and pushing to implement a broad financial surveillance regime – putting the secure financial information of millions of Americans at risk. That is why I proudly introduced H.R. 1010, the Prohibiting IRS Financial Surveillance Act, to stop this radical, big-government overreach and prevent any new reporting requirements on banks to disclose information on an individual’s private bank account deposits or withdrawals.

At the hearing, I spoke to Secretary Yellen about this and asked for assurances that none of the funds that are going to the IRS will be used to implement such a bank monitoring program unless it is directed explicitly by Congress. Secretary Yellen replied, “Of course not.” This was an important commitment and one to which we will hold her fully accountable.

I also brought up the concerning fact that the IRS is now buying up ammunition and firearms and asked Secretary Yellen to send Congress a report on the matter. Americans are rightfully concerned about the direction this agency is going, and I will continue to fight for answers.

Clip here to watch my remarks at the hearing

I was proud to receive the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) 2023 Outstanding Legislator of the Year Award last week for my work in the 117th Congress. The award recognizes the outstanding contributions to legislation that would positively affect the specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery and patients. As a former dentist, I am very honored to receive this award and will continue to work on policies that build better smiles across America.

With timber being one of Georgia’s top commodities, it was great to meet with folks from the Forest Landowners Association last week. It was an informative discussion about their work and an opportunity for me to learn more about the importance of this industry to our state.

Rep. Ferguson to Newsmax: Americans Don't Want IRS 'Snooping'

Rep. Drew Ferguson, R-Ga., joined Newsmax's "National Report" cheering the Prohibiting IRS Financial Surveillance Act that would prohibit implementing new reporting requirements for banks and other financial institutions.

"It prevents the IRS from snooping into your bank accounts," said Ferguson. "Americans should be trusted to do their taxes. There are plenty of provisions to make sure that the audits are done — that people pay their taxes correctly. But the one thing that we don't want is we do not want the IRS spying on our bank accounts — looking at the transaction between family members."

He added, "They want access to American's bank accounts so that they can come literally snoop into the cushions on your couch — to come look for your money.

"All we're saying is ... that the secretary and the IRS cannot do this. This is the purview of Congress, and we're not going to allow unelected bureaucrats to come spy on our fellow Americans — that's what this bill is about."

Ferguson said, "If you do transactions over $10,000, that is something that's got to be reported. But the truth of the matter is that you don't want to — you don't want these smaller transactions, particularly in a cumulative manner, for the IRS to see that."

Click here to watch the full interview.

As always, I’m here to serve you. Please contact my office with any questions, comments, or concerns. Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube to keep track of upcoming legislation and events!