Trump picks Kelly Loeffler and Billy Long to head SBA and IRS, respectively

President-elect Trump announced Wednesday that he is naming former Missouri Rep. Billy Long to serve as commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in his new administration.

In a statement released Wednesday, Trump called the former congressman “an extremely hard worker who is respected by everyone, especially those who know him in Congress.” The president-elect also noted Long’s experience as a tax preparer.

“Billy brings 32 years of experience running his own real estate business and is one of the leading auctioneers in the country,” the Republican leader wrote in a Truth Social post. “He then served in Congress for 12 years because he ‘felt it was important for his constituents to have a representative who would sign the front of a check’!”

“Taxpayers and the wonderful people at the IRS will love having Billy at the helm. He is the consummate “people person” who is highly regarded on both sides of the aisle. Congratulations, Billy!”

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Trump announced he is nominating Kelly Loeffler (left) and Billy Long (right) to serve his term. (Reuters/Getty Images/AP Images)

Trump soon followed up his announcement by naming former Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., to head the Small Business Administration (SBA). The purpose of the SBA is to provide small businesses with access to resources such as loans, government contracts and business advice.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our great economy. “Kelly will bring her experience in business and Washington to cut red tape and give our small businesses the opportunity to grow, innovate and thrive,” Trump’s Truth Social post reads. “She will focus on ensuring the SBA is accountable to taxpayers by cracking down on waste, fraud and regulatory overreach.”

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Former Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., speaks during Erick Erickson’s The Gathering event in Atlanta on August 18, 2023. (Alyssa Pointer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Trump called Loeffler, a longtime ally and co-chair of his inaugural committee, a “tremendous fighter” and pointed to her business success.

“Prior to her term in the U.S. Senate, Kelly built a 25-year career in financial services and technology,” Trump’s statement said. “Along with her amazing husband Jeff, as Executive VP, she helped grow a Fortune 500 company from 100 to over 10,000 employees. You and Jeff also helped me secure the big election win in Georgia!”

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Rep.-elect Billy Long, R-Mo., speaks to his supporters at an election night rally in Springfield, Missouri, on November 2, 2010. (AP)

During the first two years of Trump’s first term, the SBA was led by Linda McMahon, who resigned in 2019. Trump named McMahon, the former CEO of WWE, as education secretary in November.