As Business Conflicts Persist, A New Plan Emerges To Get Trump Taxes
"I'm a firm believer in the maxim where there's smoke, there's fire. The smoke is billowing out of the White House right now"
Democrats have a new plan to get President Donald Trump's tax returns released: make Steve Mnuchin do it.
Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) on Friday introduced a resolution of inquiry directing the Treasury secretary to provide the U.S. House with copies of Trump's tax returns, as well as any information the Treasury Department has on the president's foreign debts and investments, and use of tax-avoidance schemes.
"The smoldering pile of potential conflicts around President Trump is starting to flare up. Whether it's branding deals with foreign governments or local D.C. businesses claiming the president's hotel holds an unfair advantage, we cannot ignore the signs," Pascrell said. "I'm a firm believer in the maxim where there's smoke, there's fire. The smoke is billowing out of the White House right now. We need to act and we have the power to act. I'm not sure what we're waiting for."
Trump has refused to release his tax returns, making him the first presidential candidate in decades not to disclose those financial records, despite widespread public demand. He has also spurned calls to divest his assets from his family's corporate empire while in office--even as critics say his private investments could violate the Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Resolutions of inquiry can be brought to the House floor if they are not considered by committee within 14 legislative days.
The House Ways and Means Committee has jurisdiction over Pascrell's measure, as the panel's chairs have the authority to request tax returns from the Treasury and review them in a closed session. Under its current chairman, Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas), the committee is unlikely to approve of Pascrell's resolution--but many say even forcing the vote is progress, as it keeps Republicans from sweeping the issue under the rug.
"Conflicts? Emoluments? Russia? @HouseGOP can't duck my #ResolutionofInquiry for @realDonaldTrump tax returns," Pascrell tweeted.
Still, his latest effort is another indication that House Democrats are not giving up trying to force a release of Trump's tax returns. A broader effort by Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) to get the U.S. Department of Justice to hand over records on the president's potential business conflicts, ethical violations, and ties to Russia was killed in committee this month.
"The presidential campaign is over and the fear that a political opponent will try to use tax returns for electoral benefit is passed," Pascrell wrote in his resolution. "President Trump is now governing while also owning a business with international investments. The Constitution faces unprecedented threats due to this arrangement. I believe the powerful Ways and Means Committee has the responsibility to use that power to ensure proper oversight of the executive branch by requesting a review of President Trump's tax returns."
"I am not going away," he tweeted Friday.
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. US voters have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. Our Fall Campaign is underway, and we need your help. To power our newsroom through the rest of the year, we need to raise $125,000 by midnight on October 31. So if you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
Democrats have a new plan to get President Donald Trump's tax returns released: make Steve Mnuchin do it.
Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) on Friday introduced a resolution of inquiry directing the Treasury secretary to provide the U.S. House with copies of Trump's tax returns, as well as any information the Treasury Department has on the president's foreign debts and investments, and use of tax-avoidance schemes.
"The smoldering pile of potential conflicts around President Trump is starting to flare up. Whether it's branding deals with foreign governments or local D.C. businesses claiming the president's hotel holds an unfair advantage, we cannot ignore the signs," Pascrell said. "I'm a firm believer in the maxim where there's smoke, there's fire. The smoke is billowing out of the White House right now. We need to act and we have the power to act. I'm not sure what we're waiting for."
Trump has refused to release his tax returns, making him the first presidential candidate in decades not to disclose those financial records, despite widespread public demand. He has also spurned calls to divest his assets from his family's corporate empire while in office--even as critics say his private investments could violate the Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Resolutions of inquiry can be brought to the House floor if they are not considered by committee within 14 legislative days.
The House Ways and Means Committee has jurisdiction over Pascrell's measure, as the panel's chairs have the authority to request tax returns from the Treasury and review them in a closed session. Under its current chairman, Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas), the committee is unlikely to approve of Pascrell's resolution--but many say even forcing the vote is progress, as it keeps Republicans from sweeping the issue under the rug.
"Conflicts? Emoluments? Russia? @HouseGOP can't duck my #ResolutionofInquiry for @realDonaldTrump tax returns," Pascrell tweeted.
Still, his latest effort is another indication that House Democrats are not giving up trying to force a release of Trump's tax returns. A broader effort by Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) to get the U.S. Department of Justice to hand over records on the president's potential business conflicts, ethical violations, and ties to Russia was killed in committee this month.
"The presidential campaign is over and the fear that a political opponent will try to use tax returns for electoral benefit is passed," Pascrell wrote in his resolution. "President Trump is now governing while also owning a business with international investments. The Constitution faces unprecedented threats due to this arrangement. I believe the powerful Ways and Means Committee has the responsibility to use that power to ensure proper oversight of the executive branch by requesting a review of President Trump's tax returns."
"I am not going away," he tweeted Friday.
Democrats have a new plan to get President Donald Trump's tax returns released: make Steve Mnuchin do it.
Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) on Friday introduced a resolution of inquiry directing the Treasury secretary to provide the U.S. House with copies of Trump's tax returns, as well as any information the Treasury Department has on the president's foreign debts and investments, and use of tax-avoidance schemes.
"The smoldering pile of potential conflicts around President Trump is starting to flare up. Whether it's branding deals with foreign governments or local D.C. businesses claiming the president's hotel holds an unfair advantage, we cannot ignore the signs," Pascrell said. "I'm a firm believer in the maxim where there's smoke, there's fire. The smoke is billowing out of the White House right now. We need to act and we have the power to act. I'm not sure what we're waiting for."
Trump has refused to release his tax returns, making him the first presidential candidate in decades not to disclose those financial records, despite widespread public demand. He has also spurned calls to divest his assets from his family's corporate empire while in office--even as critics say his private investments could violate the Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Resolutions of inquiry can be brought to the House floor if they are not considered by committee within 14 legislative days.
The House Ways and Means Committee has jurisdiction over Pascrell's measure, as the panel's chairs have the authority to request tax returns from the Treasury and review them in a closed session. Under its current chairman, Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas), the committee is unlikely to approve of Pascrell's resolution--but many say even forcing the vote is progress, as it keeps Republicans from sweeping the issue under the rug.
"Conflicts? Emoluments? Russia? @HouseGOP can't duck my #ResolutionofInquiry for @realDonaldTrump tax returns," Pascrell tweeted.
Still, his latest effort is another indication that House Democrats are not giving up trying to force a release of Trump's tax returns. A broader effort by Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) to get the U.S. Department of Justice to hand over records on the president's potential business conflicts, ethical violations, and ties to Russia was killed in committee this month.
"The presidential campaign is over and the fear that a political opponent will try to use tax returns for electoral benefit is passed," Pascrell wrote in his resolution. "President Trump is now governing while also owning a business with international investments. The Constitution faces unprecedented threats due to this arrangement. I believe the powerful Ways and Means Committee has the responsibility to use that power to ensure proper oversight of the executive branch by requesting a review of President Trump's tax returns."
"I am not going away," he tweeted Friday.