Republicans Ask Democrats To Please Leave Trump's Tax Returns ALONE

[GMDino]

The "rule of law party" is getting ready to defy the law....because of party.

https://www.yahoo.com/huffpost/republicans-ask-democrats-please-leave-194654240.html?.tsrc=daily_mail&uh_test=1_02&fbclid=IwAR2nPtUQvidpVN1zfmGp7VmbPAC6IhmPKcNLJ8_t8WTfhX5ssyFNaKX6hzY

Quote:Republicans in Congress have formally asked Democrats to stop trying to get their hands on President Donald Trump’s tax returns.


Democrats are holding a hearing Thursday on the importance of disclosing Trump’s tax information, which would reveal how much money he makes, who pays him and how much tax he pays.


Top-ranking Republicans on the House tax committee asked its chairman not to request the documents, even though federal law explicitly gives him the power to do so ― and even though Republicans used that power to oversee Barack Obama’s administration.


“Transparency in our government is enormously important, but must be undertaken with appropriate care,” Reps. Kevin Brady (R-Texas) and Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) wrote in a Thursday letter to Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal (D-Mass.).


“Weaponizing our nation’s tax code by targeting political foes only serves to weaken our system of government, not strengthen it,” Brady and Neal wrote. “If there are valid concerns with financial disclosure, then let’s come together to legislate a thoughtful solution to require additional disclosures.”


Trump broke with precedent of the last 40 years by refusing to release his tax returns during the 2016 presidential campaign. And he broke with tradition when he took office without divesting from his businesses.
It’s normal for congressional committees to conduct oversight of the executive branch, but Trump said during his State of the Union address on Tuesday that Democrats should lay off.


“If there is going to be peace and legislation, there cannot be war and investigation,” Trump said.
Ways and Means can obtain anyone’s tax returns under a provision of the tax code. This provision has existed since the 1920s, when Congress enabled three congressional committees to obtain the president’s tax returns without the chief executive’s consent. Those committees can then release those tax returns to the full House or Senate if they choose. The Joint Committee on Taxation famously did so in 1974 when it sent its report on President Richard Nixon’s tax returns to the House.


In 2014, Republicans on the Ways and Means Committee used their authority under the same provision to obtain the tax information of several private groupsthat were seeking nonprofit status from the IRS. They then voted to release that information publicly in a letter that sought criminal prosecution of a former IRS official for allegedly targeting conservative groups for audits.


Brady and Kelly were members of Ways and Means in 2014, as were several other Republicans currently on the committee.  


At the hearing, a panel of four expert witnesses testified that the committee has broad authority to request tax returns from the president or anyone else. But Republicans argued the committee had no need to obtain Trump’s returns because the IRS is mandated to audit them and the president already has to make other financial disclosures.


The witnesses, however, argued that Congress sought Nixon’s tax returns because they did not trust the IRS to properly audit the president’s taxes without undue influence, and because tax returns contain different information than what’s required by mandatory financial disclosures.
Representatives for Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin have said he would review any requests “for legality,” suggesting the Trump administration would defy Congress ― and defy the law.


“I don’t see any wiggle room in the statute for the secretary to refuse a request,” George Yin, a tax expert at the University of Virginia Law School, testified.

[Benton]

A president should be open to disclosing all financial interests. We

[*bfine32*]

How far down the rabbit hole do we want to go?

[Bengalzona]

(02-09-2019, 12:58 AM)bfine32 Wrote: How far down the rabbit hole do we want to go?

Judging by how defensive the admin has been about the tax returns, it seems we may not have to go into the hole at all once they are released.

[GMDino]

(02-09-2019, 12:58 AM)bfine32 Wrote: How far down the rabbit hole do we want to go?

All public officials?  Anyone who wants to run for elected office?  Anyone appointed to a position in government?

I'm good with that.

[Benton]

(02-09-2019, 12:58 AM)bfine32 Wrote: How far down the rabbit hole do we want to go?

All the way?

If we're going to give individuals free reign for controlling the world's largest military, economy and checks and balances are going out the window, then they deserve some vetting. I mean, if we're going all in on this oligarchy thing, let's at least know what special interests were giving it up to.

[GMDino]

(02-09-2019, 01:44 AM)Benton Wrote: All the way?

If we're going to give individuals free reign for controlling the world's largest military, economy and checks and balances are going out the window, then they deserve some vetting. I mean, if we're going all in on this oligarchy thing, let's at least know what special interests were giving it up to.

Exactly.  

And let's change the laws allowing elected officials to vote a raise for themselves while complaining that raising minimum wage will destroy the country.

[*michaelsean*]

Quote:Representatives for Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin have said he would review any requests “for legality,” suggesting the Trump administration would defy Congress ― and defy the law.

I know the auther states it and hence you put it in your comment, but where would they be defying the law?

[*Nately120*]

Pretend Trump is an unarmed black man who was stopped by the police. If he just complies and does what is asked of him, no harm will befall him. Just do as you are told.

[fredtoast]

(02-09-2019, 12:58 AM)bfine32 Wrote: How far down the rabbit hole do we want to go?

All the way.  Our President has massive power, but he is a public official that works for us.  Why shouldn't we know all about his financial dealings when we give him control over our economy and national security?

How far do you think we should go Bfine?

[*bfine32*]

(02-09-2019, 01:39 AM)GMDino Wrote: All public officials?  Anyone who wants to run for elected office?  Anyone appointed to a position in government?

I'm good with that.

(02-09-2019, 01:44 AM)Benton Wrote: All the way?

If we're going to give individuals free reign for controlling the world's largest military, economy and checks and balances are going out the window, then they deserve some vetting. I mean, if we're going all in on this oligarchy thing, let's at least know what special interests were giving it up to.

(02-11-2019, 01:27 PM)fredtoast Wrote: All the way.  Our President has massive power, but he is a public official that works for us.  Why shouldn't we know all about his financial dealings when we give him control over our economy and national security?

How far do you think we should go Bfine?

I think Fred and Benton misunderstood my question. I was asking how far down the elected official must make tax returns public hole do we want to go:

POTUS, Senator, Governor, Congressman, Mayor, County Clerk, Dog catcher.....

I actually agree with Dino (shocked face) and think any elected officials records should be public. You want to be a public servant? be transparent; regardless of the level.

[*michaelsean*]

(02-11-2019, 06:15 PM)bfine32 Wrote: I think Fred and Benton misunderstood my question. I was asking how far down the elected official must make tax returns public hole do we want to go:

POTUS, Senator, Governor, Congressman, Mayor, County Clerk, Dog catcher.....

I actually agree with Dino (shocked face) and think any elected officials records should be public. You want to be a public servant? be transparent; regardless of the level.

Certainly all of Congress.  And release them every year.  May cut down on a lot of corruption.

[Dill]

(02-09-2019, 01:44 AM)Benton Wrote: All the way?

If we're going to give individuals free reign for controlling the world's largest military, economy and checks and balances are going out the window, then they deserve some vetting. I mean, if we're going all in on this oligarchy thing, let's at least know what special interests were giving it up to.

Whoa hold on there Benton! 

If I am a Senator or Representative, I may want to proceed VERY CAUTIOUSLY with this transparency thing.  Sure, check the president's finances. But if people start looking at congressmen who have to go on corporate junkets and the like as part of their lawmaking responsibilities, they could get the wrong idea.

Until we get a little legal protection in place, a few more laws regarding what has to be declared and what doesn't, we need slow down and respect the private lives of those who have chosen public service!      

[fredtoast]

(02-11-2019, 06:15 PM)bfine32 Wrote: I think Fred and Benton misunderstood my question. I was asking how far down the elected official must make tax returns public hole do we want to go:

POTUS, Senator, Governor, Congressman, Mayor, County Clerk, Dog catcher.....

I actually agree with Dino (shocked face) and think any elected officials records should be public. You want to be a public servant? be transparent; regardless of the level.

When I see the term "rabbit hole" I take it to mean something troublesome or problematic.  So I assumed you thought it was a bad idea.

Pretty much any public servant is subject to abusing his power in exchange for some sort of financial gain.  So I would say that all of them would have to provide ta records on demand.  No need to make everyone of them disclose the records before they run, but in situations where there is an appearance of possible impropriety full disclosure should be required.