Rep. Richard Neal: Obtain and release Trump's tax returns now

Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means: Obtain and release Trump's tax returns now.

Richard Neal, chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, has the power to obtain and release Trump's tax returns – but so far, he's dragging his feet. Call him now and demand that he do his job and hold Trump accountable. Click below for a sample script and the number to call:

A blockbuster Washington Post report recently revealed that Donald Trump physically took notes away from his interpreter after a meeting with Vladimir Putin, raising serious questions about his potentially compromising financial ties to Russia.1 But because Trump has refused to release his tax returns for years after he promised to do so during the 2016 campaign, we still don't know what Trump is hiding. Chairs of congressional tax-writing committees have the authority to demand that the IRS provide them with tax returns. Rep. Richard Neal, the new chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means, is dragging his feet and refusing to act.2 It's up to us to make it crystal clear to Rep. Neal that the American people expect him to do everything in his power to obtain and release Trump's tax returns without delay. Call Richard Neal, chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means: Obtain and release Trump's tax returns now. Click here for a sample script and the number to call. Why? Trump's tax returns could be key to exposing all sorts of potential corruption: Tax fraud. A breathtaking New York Times investigation found that the Trump family used shell companies, illegal markups and undervalued properties to transfer millions from Fred Trump to Donald and his other children. The reporting not only explodes the myth of Trump the self-made billionaire, but also specifies "instances of outright fraud."3 Compromising financial ties to Russian oligarchs or the super-rich in America. Without a look at his tax returns, the American public cannot know whether Trump’s current debt or his previous business partnerships obligate him financially to Russian oligarchs aligned with Vladimir Putin. Trump’s debt load increased from $350 to $630 million in 2016, when American banks were reluctant to extend Trump credit.4 In 2008, Trump’s son is claimed to have said, “Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot of our assets. We see a lot of money pouring in from Russia."5 Profiting from the Trump Tax Scam and holding office. A government watchdog filed a lawsuit just days after the inauguration claiming that Trump is in violation of the Constitution because any payments to Trump from foreign entities violates the anti-bribery “emoluments” clause of the Constitution.6 It appears clear that Trump is using his position to enrich himself and his family. We cannot know the extent of Trump's corruption until we see his tax returns. Trump's tax returns could also contribute to policy goals by demonstrating how the ultra-wealthy routinely deceive the government and duck paying their fair share of taxes. But despite all this, Rep. Neal is playing into Trump's hands by delaying using his power to do what voters sent Democrats to do. That's unacceptable and it's time for progressives to fight back. Call Richard Neal, chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means: Obtain and release Trump's tax returns now.  Rep. Richard Neal (202) 225-5601 SAMPLE SCRIPT Hello my name is ___________ and I'm calling to urge the congressman to immediately obtain and release Donald Trump's tax returns. Is Congressman Neal planning to do everything in his power to make sure the American people get to see Trump's tax returns? - Josh Nelson, CREDO Action References: Greg Miller, "Trump has concealed details of his face-to-face encounters with Putin from senior officials in administration," The Washington Post, Jan. 16, 2019. Jeff Hauser and Eleanor Eagan, "The Democrats’ Richie Neal Problem," The American Prospect, Jan 15, 2019. David Barstow, Susanne Craig and Ross Buettner, "Trump Engaged in Suspect Tax Schemes as He Reaped Riches From His Father," The New York Times, Oct. 2, 2018. Josh Marshall, “Trump & Putin. Yes, It's Really a Thing,” Talking Points Memo, July 23, 2016. Tom Hamburger, Rosalind S. Helderman and Michael Birnbaum, “Inside Trump’s financial ties to Russia and his unusual flattery of Vladimir Putin,” The Washington Post, June 17, 2016. Kim Bellware and Cristian Farias, “President Trump Has Already Violated The Constitution, Lawsuit Claims,” HuffPost, Jan. 23, 2017.

Congress: Make Trump's tax returns public. After Trump's praise for Putin, Americans deserve to see his tax returns immediately

After the shocking spectacle of Trump siding with Putin over U.S. intelligence about Russian influence in America's election, Congress should have no choice but to force Trump to finally release his taxes.

Petition to Congress: “Trump's praise for Vladimir Putin makes it even more urgent that Americans understand the scope of Trump's financial dealings. Make Trump's tax returns public by passing the Presidential Tax Transparency Act or using existing subpoena power.”

Trump has broken with decades of precedent and refused to release his tax returns. So Americans have little idea who his business partners have been, how much money foreign entities are paying him even as he occupies the White House – or how indebted he may be to Russian interests.1 Think about this for a second: Vladimir Putin may know more about Donald Trump's business dealings than the American public. Tell Congress: Make Trump's tax returns public. Sign petition. Even some Republicans are demanding to see Trump's tax returns after his disturbing performance in Helsinki, where he sided with Putin and praised the brutal autocrat.2 Sen. John McCain declared it “one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory,” and conservative Rep. Mark Sanford admitted he does not know if Putin has damaging information on Donald Trump.3,4 Without a look at his tax returns, the American public cannot know whether Trump’s current debt or his previous business partnerships obligate him financially to Russian oligarchs aligned with Vladimir Putin. Trump’s debt load increased from $350 to $630 million in 2016, when American banks were reluctant to extend Trump credit.5 In 2008, Trump’s son is claimed to have said, “Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot of our assets. We see a lot of money pouring in from Russia.”6 What's more, a government watchdog filed a lawsuit just days after the inauguration claiming that Trump is in violation of the Constitution because any payments to Trump from foreign entities violates the anti-bribery “emoluments” clause of the Constitution.7 It appears clear that Trump is using his position to enrich himself and his family, but without his tax returns, Americans are left wondering if Putin has dirt on the man occupying the White House. Tell Congress: Make Trump's tax returns public. Click here. Congress has multiple options to give the American people access to Trump's tax returns. Chief among them is Sen. Ron Wyden’s Presidential Tax Transparency Act, which would require candidates to release their last three years of tax returns within 15 days of being nominated, or the Federal Election Commission would do it for them.8 Key committees may also have the power to subpoena and release Trump's tax returns to the public. The American people deserve the truth about Donald Trump's businesses and to whom he owes money. If Trump has something to hide, it raises the possibility of intentional Russian blackmail. If not, there's no reason for his tax returns not to be public. Tell Congress: Make Trump's tax returns public. Sign the petition: https://act.credoaction.com/sign/helsinki_trump_taxes?t=8&akid=29411%2E3130208%2Egbj_8p Heidi Hess, CREDO Action Add your name: References: Avery Anapol, "GOP lawmaker renews call for Trump to release tax returns after Putin summit," The Hill, July 17, 2018. Ibid. Ibid. Sarah Hallam, "John McCain: Trump gave 'one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory,'" CNN, July 16, 2018. Josh Marshall, "Trump & Putin. Yes, It's Really a Thing," Talking Points Memo, July 23, 2016. Tom Hamburger, Rosalind S. Helderman and Michael Birnbaum, "Inside Trump’s financial ties to Russia and his unusual flattery of Vladimir Putin," The Washington Post, June 17, 2016. Kim Bellware, "President Trump Has Already Violated The Constitution, Lawsuit Claims," HuffPost, Jan. 23, 2017. Amber Phillips, "Want your presidential candidates to release their taxes? There’s a bill for that." The Washington Post, Oct. 3, 2016.

SIGN NOW: Demand Congress force release of Trump’s tax returns

We’ll cut to the chase: Republicans are blocking legislation that would force Trump to reveal his tax returns.

But we can overpower them. Using a procedure called the Discharge Petition, Democrats are attempting to force Trump to reveal his tax returns. But they need all the support they can get.

Trump just fired James Comey, the man who was leading the investigation into Trump’s relationship with Russia. Now, we have NO WAY to tell if our President has been compromised by a hostile foreign power.

Our last hope is Trump’s tax returns -- they’ll reveal exactly how connected Trump’s businesses are to Russia.

Demand your Congressman sign the petition to force Trump to reveal his tax returns:

We refuse to be kept in the dark,

-LeftAction

Tell Congress: No tax legislation until Trump releases all tax returns

On April 15, over 100,000 protesters took to the streets in dozens of cities to demand Donald Trump finally stop the excuses and release his tax returns. The show of force got under Trump’s skin, forcing him to reroute his motorcade and prompting a Twitter tirade against the protesters – including CREDO members.1

We cannot let this energy fade away. In the coming weeks, Congress is preparing to take up right-wing tax cut plans under the guise of “tax reform.”2 We need to make it clear that no tax legislation should get a second of consideration until Trump releases his tax returns.

Tell Congress: No tax legislation until Trump releases all tax returns

CREDO was a proud supporter of the Tax Day Marches, and CREDO members showed up in force. The people out in the streets know that Trump’s taxes cut the core of so many of the problems with his discredited regime. We have not forgotten Trump admitting in one of the 2016 presidential debates that he dodges taxes, declaring that not paying taxes “makes him smart.”3

Refusing to release the returns reflects an obsession with secrecy and open contempt for democratic norms – after all, every modern president has released their taxes. Trump’s taxes could also reveal his conflicts of interest, ties to foreign interests, potential corruption, history of making money by scamming hardworking Americans and dodging taxes. Given the enormity of potential conflict of interests, Trump owes it to the American people to be as transparent as possible and release any and all of his tax returns.4

Now, Trump is bragging that “we’re going to surprise you” with the speed of tax cut plans.5 Republicans are plotting nothing less than a massive handout to tax-dodging corporations and Wall Street hedge fund billionaires in the name of “overhauling” taxes.

There is no way the public can judge Trump’s tax plans when we don’t know how the so-called president and his businesses stand to personally benefit – and there is no justification for considering tax legislation until every single one of his returns is public.

Every modern president has released his tax returns even while going through the automatic yearly audits required for the president and vice president. Trump’s excuses that he couldn’t release returns while under an audit were always hogwash, but are even more outrageous now that he is in office.6

Americans need to get the truth about Trump’s business dealings, his claims of extreme wealth, how he truly makes his money, what tax loopholes he is using to dodge taxes and the tax rate he actually pays. As Congress starts considering massive tax cuts for corporations and Wall Street billionaires, the American people deserve to know how much Trump stands to personally profit from Republican tax plans.

Tell Congress: No tax legislation until Trump releases all tax returns.

- CREDO 

Thank you for your activism.
Emma Stefansky, “Trump’s Tweets Give Tax Day Marchers At Least Part of What They Wanted,” Vanity Fair, April 16, 2017.
William James and Richard Cowan, “House Speaker Ryan sees long battle over tax reform,” Reuters, April 19, 2017.
Siobhan Fenton, “Presidential debate: Donald Trump claims not paying tax 'makes him smart' as pressure grows to release tax returns,” The Independent, Sept. 27, 2016.
Richard Painter and Norman Eisen, “No Trump taxes, no tax reform,” USA Today Network, April 18, 2017.
Jacob Pramuk, “Trump: 'We're going to surprise you' with speed of tax reform,” CNBC, April 18, 2017.
Stefansky, “Trump’s Tweets Give Ta

Resistance Recess Events

As you know, Congress is now on their two week Easter recess which means Resistance Recess Events.  Indivisible also has BIG plans for fun and unique events.

Will there be a McSally sighting? Will McCain ramp up support for independent investigations? Will Flake give a town hall in Tucson? It is all on the table in the next two weeks!

EVENTS:

SATURDAY, APRIL 15th from 10AM-11AM at Sen. McCain's office at 407 West Congress St. 

Indivisible is hosting a Tax March/Rally. Come dressed in your finest ballgown or top hat to appeal to the fine tastes of those funded by the deep pocketed Koch Brothers or Putin. Signs with Monopoly themes are all the rage, "Follow the Money" and "Let's see those tax returns." 

TUESDAY, APRIL 18th we are co-hosting with McSally Take A Stand, ART INSTALLATION AND MINI STAFFER ENGAGEMENT from 8AM-10AM at 4400 E. Broadway Blvd in front of Rep. McSally's office.

Indivisible will be saying NO to votes cast without statements ahead of time, NO to differences between her rhetoric and voting record and YES to transparency! Art installation centerpiece by Tucson artists will "let a little light in" in a stained glass theme, and they will have transparency sheets for you to make and display your own transparent art/letters. They will also be scheduling time blocks for people to go and talk to the front office staff about issues that they want TRANSPARENCY on.

Saturday, April 22nd at 10AM at Presidio Park. Science rally. Indivisible is not hosting, just participating.

Saturday, April 29th at 10AM at Presidio Park, Climate rally. Indivisible will have a table.

https://www.resistancerecess.com/event/resistance-aprilrecess/search/?source=cpd&refcode=link2

http://www.indivisiblesaz.org/