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Should the Ways and Means Committee Release tRump's Tax Returns? [1]

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Date: 2022-12-20  

How about releasing them today?

First, I want to give Jennifer Rubin’s take (Washington Post) on the matter. She comes out with a NO:

After House Democrats won the majority in 2018, Ways and Means Chairman Richard E. Neal demanded President Donald Trump’s tax returns. Unlike other recent presidential candidates, Trump had never released them. After a protracted court battle, Neal obtained the returns and now, two years after Trump lost the White House, contemplates releasing them to the public on Tuesday. This is a bad idea. When Neal and his committee were defending their request in federal court, they successfully argued that the plain letter of federal law allowed them to obtain the returns, as long as they demonstrated a legitimate legislative purpose. District Court Judge Trevor N. McFadden agreed. “Congress’s power to investigate ‘is inherent in the legislative process’ and serves as an ‘adjunct to that process,’ ” he wrote in 2021, and listed legitimate purposes: “the administration of existing laws,” “proposed or possibly needed statutes” and “surveys of defects in our social, economic or political system.” At the same time, McFadden cautioned that “Congress may not expose someone simply ‘for the sake of exposure.’ ”

Rubin argues that for the Ways and Means committee to release the returns now would serve no legitimate legislative purpose and the Ds would only appear petty.

I can see her point, but I respectfully disagree.

If tRump had let the Way and Means Committee see the returns when they asked, they could have taken the last four years to investigate and could have determined if legislation were necessary. Of course, the GOP is taking over in a few weeks, and we cannot expect them to do any meaningful investigation (but I anticipate many meaningless and petty investigations).

Not to release them is to reward the obstruction of tRump, the IRS, and a recalcitrant judge.

It’s true that the Ways and Means committee under the GOP will not investigate these returns, but if they are released to the public, I expect we’ll see plenty of accounting experts do meaningful analysis. And the legislation that does not take place in the next Congress could happen in a later one.

tRump has announced another run for office. Americans deserve to know who he is.

I suppose another alternative is for the House committee to give the tax returns to the Senate committee, which will remain under Democratic supervision.

What are your ideas, and why?

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🐦 I do a lot of other writing. A recent offering: Hunters of the Feather, a story about a thinker-linker crow who wants to save birdkind from extinction, and the sequel, Scavengers of Mind. (They’re really good! They’re really cheap! Buy and review or rate positively! And Hunters is also available on Audible!) Other stories, based on Jane Austen novels — including a new one for lovers of Pride & Prejudice, Mrs. Bennet’s Advice to Young Ladies — and others on Greek mythology, can be found here. All titles are available through Kindle Unlimited, but I only get paid if you turn the pages.

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