Former Rep. Billy Long, R-Mo., who retired after losing a 2022 Senate bid, got the nod from President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday to be his nominee for IRS commissioner.
Long served for six terms in the House and left Congress after placing a distant fourth in the GOP primary to succeed retiring Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., two years ago. He ultimately endorsed the winner, Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., but he clashed with Missouri’s other GOP senator, Josh Hawley, over the latter’s endorsement of another primary rival, ex-Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Mo.
The colorful Long was one of the first GOP lawmakers to endorse Trump during his first run for the presidency in 2016, and was seen at times toting around the Capitol grounds fake $45 bills with Trump’s face — a nod to the 45th president.
