Friday, March 10, 2017
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"
The resolution would require Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin
to provide the U.S. House with copies of Trump's tax returns. (Photo: Reuters)
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.
There are
various ways #CongressCanRequest, like my Resolution of
Inquiry filed today. Requires immediate action.
I am not
going away. https://t.co/zDO6aVxW5R
— Bill
Pascrell, Jr. (@BillPascrell) March 10, 2017
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"The master class
has always declared the wars; the subject class has always fought the battles.
The master class has had all to gain and nothing to lose, while the subject
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