119-HRES-1097 Journalist Public Summary
A House resolution of inquiry asking President Donald J. Trump, Treasury, and Homeland Security to turn over records about how IRS taxpayer data are shared with DHS for non‑tax criminal enforcement, with a 14‑day deadline if the House adopts it.
Headline Summary
A House oversight measure directing the President, Treasury, and Homeland Security to provide Congress with documents on how IRS taxpayer information is shared with DHS for non‑tax criminal cases—within 14 days if the resolution is adopted.
What It Does
This is a House resolution of inquiry (an oversight tool, not a new law). It requests that President Donald J. Trump, the Treasury Secretary, and the Homeland Security Secretary deliver copies of records—subject to legally required redactions—about the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that allows information‑sharing between Treasury/IRS and DHS for non‑tax criminal enforcement.
- Covers requests, disclosures, or access DHS received to IRS “return information.”
- Seeks the agencies’ policies and procedures for handling that information under the MOU.
- Asks for any records of violations of tax‑privacy rules (Internal Revenue Code §6103) or agency policies, and what actions were taken afterward.
- Specifically references logs and data from several IRS systems (e.g., Individual and Business Master Files, Audit Trail and Audit Information Management Systems).
Why It Matters
It spotlights two competing concerns: protecting the confidentiality of taxpayer data and ensuring transparency about how that data may be used by DHS in non‑tax criminal investigations. For communities, the outcome could clarify guardrails on data‑sharing and Congress’s visibility into cross‑agency enforcement practices.
Who’s For It
- Lead sponsor: Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D‑CA).
- Democratic co‑sponsors, many tied to tax and oversight work (e.g., Reps. Sánchez, DelBene, Doggett, Thompson (CA), Larson (CT), Sewell, Chu, Moore (WI), Boyle, Beyer, Evans (PA), Schneider, Panetta, Horsford, Plaskett, Suozzi).
- Stated/implicit rationale: strengthen congressional oversight of the IRS‑DHS information‑sharing MOU; verify compliance with taxpayer‑privacy laws; and document any misuse or policy gaps.
Who’s Against It
- No specific opponents were listed at introduction.
- Possible lines of criticism (not yet formally lodged): that sweeping document demands could expose sensitive investigative methods, strain agency resources, or intrude on executive‑branch prerogatives; conversely, some privacy advocates could argue the request should go further or require public disclosure rather than a House‑only handoff.
What’s Next
As of March 3–4, 2026, the resolution has been submitted and referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. If the House adopts it, the President and the two departments would have 14 days to furnish the requested materials to the House. Because this is a simple House resolution, it does not go to the Senate or the President for signature.
Discussion