History of Billy Long in Timeline

William "Billy" Long is an American politician, realtor, and auctioneer. He served as the U.S. Representative for Missouri's 7th congressional district from 2011 to 2023. Currently, since 2025, he is the 51st commissioner of internal revenue. Long is a member of the Republican Party.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

August 11, 1955: Birth of William Hollis Long II

On August 11, 1955, William Hollis Long II was born in Springfield.

1973: Graduation from Greenwood Laboratory School and Enrollment at the University of Missouri

In 1973, William Hollis Long II graduated from the K–12 Greenwood Laboratory School and enrolled at the University of Missouri.

1976: End of Attendance at University of Missouri

In 1976, William Hollis Long II ended his attendance at the University of Missouri without graduating.

1979: Ownership of Billy Long Auctions, LLC Begins

In 1979, Billy Long began owning and operating Billy Long Auctions, LLC.

1979: Graduation from Missouri Auction School

In 1979, William Hollis Long II graduated from the Missouri Auction School, based in Kansas City.

1983: Professional Designation from the Certified Auctioneers Institute

In 1983, William Hollis Long II received a professional designation from the Certified Auctioneers Institute, hosted at Indiana University Bloomington.

2009: Induction into the Missouri Professional Auctioneers’ Association Hall of Fame

In 2009, Billy Long was inducted into the Missouri Professional Auctioneers’ Association Hall of Fame.

2010: Signed the No Climate Pledge by AFP

In 2010, Billy Long signed the No Climate Pledge by AFP, signaling his stance on climate issues.

2010: Election to the U.S. House of Representatives

In 2010, Billy Long was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for Missouri's 7th congressional district, succeeding Roy Blunt.

2011: Start of Term in the U.S. House of Representatives

In 2011, Billy Long began his term as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

2011: Co-sponsored the Fair Tax Act of 2011

In 2011, Billy Long co-sponsored the Fair Tax Act, proposing to replace income and estate tax with a 23% sales tax.

2011: End of Ownership of Billy Long Auctions, LLC

In 2011, Billy Long ended his ownership of Billy Long Auctions, LLC.

2013: Vote Against Violence Against Women Act Re-authorization

In 2013, Billy Long voted against re-authorizing the Violence Against Women Act.

2014: Introduction of the Taxpayer Transparency Act

In 2014, Billy Long introduced the Taxpayer Transparency Act, requiring federal agencies to label promotional material as "paid for by taxpayers".

2015: Co-sponsored H.R.25 & S.155

In 2015, Billy Long co-sponsored H.R.25 & S.155 to repeal income tax, abolish the IRS, and enact a national sales tax.

2015: Cosponsorship of the Fair Tax Act (H.R. 25/S. 18)

In 2015, Billy Long co-sponsored the Fair Tax Act (H.R. 25/S. 18), introduced by Representative Rob Woodall.

2015: Condemnation of Obergefell v. Hodges Ruling

In 2015, Billy Long condemned the Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage.

2015: Cosponsorship of the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

In 2015, Billy Long cosponsored the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 36), which sought to prohibit most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

2016: Induction into National Auctioneers' Association Hall of Fame

In 2016, Billy Long was inducted into the National Auctioneers' Association Hall of Fame.

2017: Cosponsorship of the Fair Tax Act (H.R. 25/S. 18) Again

In 2017, Billy Long again co-sponsored the Fair Tax Act (H.R. 25/S. 18).

September 2018: Mock Auction During House Committee Hearing

During a House Committee on Energy and Commerce hearing in September 2018, Billy Long performed a mock auction chant of Laura Loomer's phone as she was being escorted out for disrupting the meeting, which generated laughter and applause.

September 2018: Retweet Regarding Kavanaugh Allegations

In September 2018, Billy Long retweeted a Twitter post comparing sexual assault allegations against Brett Kavanaugh to a "kiss on the forehead".

2019: Fair Tax Act's Planned Abolishment of IRS

The Fair Tax Act, co-sponsored by Billy Long, would have abolished the IRS in 2019 if enacted.

December 2020: Support for Texas v. Pennsylvania Lawsuit

In December 2020, Billy Long supported an amicus brief in support of Texas v. Pennsylvania, a lawsuit contesting the results of the 2020 election based on fraud allegations.

December 2021: Awarded the Order of the Rising Sun

In December 2021, Billy Long was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun by the Emperor of Japan for contributions to bilateral relations between Japan and the United States.

2022: Loan to US Senate Campaign

Billy Long's US Senate campaign received a loan in 2022, which was later paid off in 2025 after his nomination to head the IRS.

2022: Loss in Republican Primary for U.S. Senate Seat

In 2022, Billy Long ran for U.S. Senate but lost the Republican primary to Eric Schmitt.

2022: Vote Against the Respect for Marriage Act

In 2022, Billy Long voted against the Respect for Marriage Act, which required states to recognize same-sex and interracial marriages.

2022: Comments on Mass Shootings and Abortion

In 2022, following the Uvalde school shooting, Billy Long stated that the legalization of abortion was to blame for the increase in mass shootings.

July 2023: Realtor with Murney Associates

In July 2023, Billy Long became a realtor with Murney Associates.

September 2023: Interview on Employee Retention Credit

In a September 2023 interview, Billy Long stated that he helped only eligible companies claim the Employee Retention Credit (ERC), while working at Lifetime Advisors.

2023: Work as Salesperson and Tax Advisor

In 2023, Billy Long worked as a salesperson for Lifetime Advisors and Commerce Terrace Consulting and self-described as a "Certified Tax & Business Advisor".

2023: End of Term in the U.S. House of Representatives

In 2023, Billy Long's tenure as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives concluded.

December 4, 2024: Nomination for IRS Commissioner

On December 4, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Billy Long to serve as the commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service.

December 2024: Appointment to Lead the IRS

In December 2024, Billy Long was appointed to lead the IRS, an organization he had previously called to abolish.

2024: Lobbying for Tax Credit Claims

In 2024, Billy Long lobbied in Washington, D.C., advocating for the IRS to approve more tax credit claims.

January 2025: Campaign Contributions and Loan Repayment

In January 2025, Billy Long received nearly $137,000 in campaign contributions to his Senate campaign committee and then paid himself $130,000 for a loan he made to his 2022 US Senate campaign, drawing scrutiny from watchdog groups.

January 20, 2025: Danny Werfel Stepped Down as Commissioner

On January 20, 2025, Danny Werfel stepped down as commissioner. Senator Ron Wyden criticized President Trump for wanting to replace Danny Werfel, and Long's involvement with the scam-plagued Employee Retention Credit.

March 2025: Appointment as Senior Advisor in OPM

In March 2025, while Billy Long's IRS nomination was pending, he was appointed as a senior advisor in the Office of Personnel Management.

June 12, 2025: Confirmation by the U.S. Senate

On June 12, 2025, Billy Long was confirmed by the U.S. Senate by a 53–44 vote.

June 2025: Confirmation as IRS Commissioner

In June 2025, Billy Long was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service.

June 16, 2025: Sworn-In as Commissioner

On June 16, 2025, Billy Long was sworn in as commissioner.

July 2025: Took Office as IRS Commissioner

In July 2025, Billy Long took office as the commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service.

August 8, 2025: Report of Removal in Preparation for Ambassadorship

On August 8, 2025, The New York Times reported that Billy Long was being removed by Trump in preparation for an ambassadorship to Iceland.

August 2025: Commissioner of Internal Revenue

From June to August 2025, Billy Long served as the 51st commissioner of internal revenue.

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