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Statement by Congressman Dan Kildee on Request for President Trump’s Tax Returns

April 3, 2019

Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus and a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, issued the following statement today after Chairman Richard Neal (MA-01) sent a written request to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Charles Rettig for six years of President Donald J. Trump's personal and business tax returns:

"The American people deserve to know that their elected officials are acting in the public's best interest, not their own self-interest. Transparency and accountability in our democracy are critical to earning the American people's trust.

"President Trump is the first president in nearly a half-century to break precedent and refuse to voluntarily release his tax returns. The President is the only person who can sign bills into law, and the public deserves to know whether the President's personal financial interests affect his public decision making. For instance, the President recently signed into law a massive tax cut for the biggest corporations, including real estate developers. Did the President stand to financially benefit from these changes to our tax law?

"Chairman Neal has the clear legal authority to request the President's tax returns. Congress is a co-equal branch of government that has a constitutional responsibility to conduct proper oversight. The proper administration of our federal tax laws is at the core of the Ways and Means Committee's responsibilities. Chairman Neal' s request for six years of the president's personal and business tax returns is targeted in scope to obtain only what is necessary to review enforcement of our nation's tax laws. The IRS and this Administration have no legal basis for refusing to comply with this request."

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