The furor over Donald Trump’s as-yet-unreleased tax returns is almost equal in magnitude as his desperate attempts to keep them hidden. As the debate over the legality of forcing a president or a presidential candidate continues, Trump does more every day to show just why it’s so important to so many Americans that the leaders of their country are transparent and without conflict.
Washington Senate passes bill that would keep Trump off 2020 ballot unless he releases tax returns – The Hill https://t.co/ro6GSbJiBG
— patty bray (@patty_bray) March 17, 2019
In Washington, a state that went to Hillary Clinton by just over 16 points in 2016, a bill was passed by the state senate that will keep Trump off the ballot should he refuse to release his tax returns. All candidates, regardless of party affiliation, would be required to do so.
CBS News reports:
‘A proposal inspired by President Donald Trump’s refusal to release his tax returns advanced Tuesday in Washington state. A bill in the state Legislature would require candidates to release five years of returns before they could appear on either the primary or general election ballot in the state.’
"We’re going to see Donald Trump’s tax returns," reporter @DavidCayJ says of ongoing investigations into Trump. "We’re going to see how much money he got from Russian oligarchs." https://t.co/gjFiAYfXEP
— Democracy Now! (@democracynow) March 16, 2019
The bill would only affect presidential and vice-presidential candidates. While some voters disagree that the public release of tax returns should be required, Sen. Patty Kuderer (D-WA) asserted that it’s an important move for voters as they make a decision about who they want to lead their country.
‘How a candidate has handled their own financial affairs and personal investments are relevant details for voters choosing a commander-in-chief, Kuderer added.
‘”It’s become part of the vetting process,” Kuderer said later.’
The Treasury secretary is required to "furnish" any individual's tax return information to the chairs of three congressional committees "upon written request," under a 1924 provision of the federal tax code.https://t.co/RnpiSMU6Rp
— Citizens for Ethics (@CREWcrew) March 14, 2019
The opposing sides of the debate both cite constitutional grounds to justify their positions. While those arguing for the bill say that the state governments have the power to oversee elections within their states, but those arguing against say that the rules should not be changed now.
‘The U.S. Supreme Court has held that states cannot add to the qualifications of senators and congressional representatives outlined in the Constitution.
‘But legal experts have said the law is at least partly unclear, since the Constitution also gives states the power to set rules for how presidential elections are held within their borders.’
Trump has been lying and stonewalling for years in order to hide his tax returns.
Tell Congress to force the release of the returns here: https://t.co/xLmurZO62c #CongressCanRequest pic.twitter.com/hkXpDuXqP2
— Democratic Coalition (@TheDemCoalition) March 11, 2019
With questions surrounding Trump’s conflicts of interest in several different countries with whom he now controls policy, transparency is a more valued trait than ever before, and Trump has offered none of it.
‘Trump’s tax returns would contain information on his sources of income, how much he earned, and any strategies he used to reduce his tax bill.’
Featured image via Flickr by Gage Skidmore under a Creative Commons license
