Billy Long

William Hollis Long II (born August 11, 1955) is an American politician and auctioneer who is currently serving as the United States Ambassador to Iceland since August 2026. A member of the Republican Party, Long also served as the 51st commissioner of internal revenue from June to August 2025 and as the U.S. representative for Missouri's 7th congressional district from 2011 to 2023. Long was elected to fill the district's seat in 2010, succeeding Roy Blunt upon his election to the U.S. Senate. The district included much of the southwestern quadrant of the state and was anchored in Springfield. It also included Branson, and Joplin. After Blunt announced that he would not run for re-election to the Senate in 2022, Long became a candidate in the 2022 senate race to succeed him, but lost the Republican primary to Eric Schmitt. Long was nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as the commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in June 2025, and took office the following month. On August 8, 2025, The New York Times reported that Long was being removed by Trump in preparation for an ambassadorship to Iceland. Long was nominated to serve as the U.S. ambassador to Iceland. While awaiting confirmation, he served as a Senior Advisor for the Office of Personnel Management. His nomination was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in May 2026. Long has claimed that Iceland should become the 52nd US state.