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[GK86]

Link.

A House Democratic lawmaker attempted Monday to force a House floor vote on a resolution to request President Trump’s tax returns, but the effort failed on a party line vote, 229-185, with two Republicans voting "present."

The move was the latest in a series of Democratic efforts to push Congress to request Trump’s tax returns, and Democrats demanded a roll call vote to force Republicans to go on the record.

The two Republicans who voted present were Reps. Walter Jones (N.C.) and Mark Sanford (S.C.). Sanford is one of the Republican lawmakers who has in the past called for Trump to release his returns.

After the vote, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) fired at the GOP.

“Tonight, House Republicans made themselves accomplices to hiding President Trump’s tax returns from the American people," she said.

“Our security and our democracy have been endangered by Russia’s clear influence on the Trump Administration. The American people deserve the truth about Russia’s personal, political and financial grip on President Trump. If there’s nothing there, then what are Republicans afraid of?

Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) offered a resolution that would have directed the House to request 10 years of Trump’s tax returns, have the House Ways and Means Committee review them in a closed session and then vote to send the information in the returns to the full House.

Under federal tax law, the chairmen of the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance committees and the Joint Committee on Taxation can request tax returns from Treasury to be considered in a closed meeting.

The resolution would also direct the House to “support transparency in government and the longstanding tradition of Presidents and Presidential candidates disclosing their tax returns.”

Pascrell isn't the only House Democrat this week trying to force a vote that would begin the process of investigating Trump.

The House Judiciary Committee will consider a resolution from Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) on Tuesday that would demand the Justice Department to hand over documents regarding Trump's business conflicts of interest and possible ties to Russia.

Nadler invoked a rarely used procedure that automatically triggers a House floor vote if the resolution isn't considered in committee within 14 legislative days.

 

[Toki767]

Seems like the only way we'll see those tax returns is if someone leaks it.

 

[Mammoth Jones]

How's does trumps taxes play for those that either didn't vote or voted third party? Does this do anything to court them?

 

[Violence Jack]

Pelosi is saying this like the GOP could give a shit about the American people.

 

[Pop-O-Matic]

Examining the President's tax returns are of no concern to congress. But her emails...

 

[sturgboski]

How's does trumps taxes play for those that either didn't vote or voted third party? Does this do anything to court them?

Nope, they shit the bed already and a vocal minority (I hope) are still doing it over the DNC stuff this weekend.

 

[Shadybiz]

Seems like the only way we'll see those tax returns is if someone leaks it.

I think that's likely correct, unfortunately.

 

[ArkhamFantasy]

Is Trump protected from criminal charges if his tax returns are leaked and show irrefutable evidence of criminal activity?

 

[Friend of Sonic]

Can there be a hero at the IRS?

 

[Zubz]

Is Trump protected from criminal charges if his tax returns are leaked and show irrefutable evidence of criminal activity?

This is the one reason I don't want them to leak. He needs to actually receive justice for his crimes.

 

[Goro Majima]

Can there be a hero at the IRS?

Don't think anyone wants that 5 year prison sentence for leaking it on top of losing their pension and professional certifications if they have any. Supposedly the IRS database is monitored at all times and they would know immediately who had accessed that information.

The CPA firm that did his taxes will also not leak anything because they could also go to jail and their careers would be ruined.

Your best hope is a foreign hacker honestly.

edit: Apparently there might even be a law that prevents US media from publishing his tax return data without his consent so you'd also have to look to foreign media for that as well.

 

[sturgboski]

Can there be a hero at the IRS?

One would hope as arent they trying to cut funding to the IRS (at least I believe that is the GOP platform). It is funny too because every dollar spent on the IRS I think makes $6 in revenue. I doubt we are going to make $300b off of our $50b increase in military spending (well assuming we dont invade Iraq or another ME country and take their oil).

 

[royalan]

Good.

Democrats NEED to keep doing stuff like this. Even if Republicans don't budge, keep drawing that line in the sand.

It ties Republicans more and more to Trump. They won't be able to run from him come election time like they did in 2016. You stand for Trump. Force them to own it every day.

And, most importantly, shit like this keeps the base fired up.

 

[The Albatross]

One would hope as arent they trying to cut funding to the IRS (at least I believe that is the GOP platform). It is funny too because every dollar spent on the IRS I think makes $6 in revenue. I doubt we are going to make $300b off of our $50b increase in military spending (well assuming we dont invade Iraq or another ME country and take their oil).

Y'know... I'm not for increasing the military, not for cutting the IRS budget, or cutting funding to the other services that Trump has suggested cutting funding to.... but...

THis has gotta be the most stupid thing I've read today.

The IRS makes $6 to every $1 spent because Americans are forced by law to pay taxes. Hahahah... Like, obviously the agency "makes money," it's the primary revenue source for the US government.

And also for christ sakes, you realize Donald Trump makes those same "invade middle east countries and steal their oil" comments, right? As much as Donald Trump and people like you wish it were so, the US did not take anybody's oil in any Middle East conflicts over the last 20 years.

 

[Suikoguy]

Good.

Democrats NEED to keep doing stuff like this. Even if Republicans don't budge, keep drawing that line in the sand.

It ties Republicans more and more to Trump. They won't be able to run from him come election time like they in 2016. You stand for Trump. Force them to own it every day.

And, most importantly, shit like this keeps the base fired up.

Yeah, this bodes well tactically moving forward.
Glad to see it, get that shit on record.

 

[TaterTots]

I don't care about his tax returns. We're fishing at this point. Let him fuck up on his own.

 

[Quixzlizx]

Y'know... I'm not for increasing the military, not for cutting the IRS budget, or cutting funding to the other services that Trump has suggested cutting funding to.... but...

THis has gotta be the most stupid thing I've read today.

The IRS makes $6 to every $1 spent because Americans are forced by law to pay taxes. Hahahah... Like, obviously the agency "makes money," it's the primary revenue source for the US government.

And also for christ sakes, you realize Donald Trump makes those same "invade middle east countries and steal their oil" comments, right? As much as Donald Trump and people like you wish it were so, the US did not take anybody's oil in any Middle East conflicts over the last 20 years.

Increasing funding to the IRS allows them to catch people who aren't paying taxes who should. It's not like the IRS uses their budget to make up new taxes to charge people.

 

[ArkhamFantasy]

I don't care about his tax returns. We're fishing at this point. Let him fuck up on his own.

Whatever he's hiding is almost certainly illegal.

 

[theWB27]

I don't care about his tax returns. We're fishing at this point. Let him fuck up on his own.

This makes no sense at all

 

[metalslimer]

I don't care about his tax returns. We're fishing at this point. Let him fuck up on his own.

This doesn't make any fucking sense. There's a reason he broke with 30 years of precedent not to release them.

 

[PixelatedBookake]

Seems like the only way we'll see those tax returns is if someone leaks it.

He will say they are fake

 

[Stinkles]

Pelosi is saying this like the GOP could give a shit about the American people.

Actually putting all Republicans on the record from here on out is essential since many of them will be complicit in actual treason.

 

[hawk2025]

I don't care about his tax returns. We're fishing at this point. Let him fuck up on his own.

You pick some weird fucking things to care about, TatorTots.

 

[benjipwns]

Dumb Republicans, what could be a better political MAD pull than regular partisan votes to release private tax returns.

"Now you know the problem was... he got sloppy. You know? Crazy. He started to lose it. He had a head full of bad wiring, I guess. Couldn't keep it straight up here. He was the kind of guy who couldn't hear the train until it was 2 feet from him."

 

[Poodlestrike]

He will say they are fake

He already says that about everything that makes him look bad. His base eats it up, but the general public is increasingly not buying it.

 

[Steel]

What's the problem? The President promised he'd release them after he got elected, so why doesn't Congress lend him a helping hand in fulfilling a campaign promise?

 

[DangerMouse]

Pelosi is saying this like the GOP could give a shit about the American people.

Pretty much this. Along with a ton of Republican voters too.

Still, it's good to have it on record that all of these Republican stooges are blocking even a "private" look at Trump's tax records for anything that might be illegal and make him super vulnerable.

Not like they or stupid voters will care though like you said.

Actually putting all Republicans on the record from here on out is essential since many of them will be complicit in actual treason.

This.

 

[Tranqueris]

Actually putting all Republicans on the record from here on out is essential since many of them will be complicit in actual treason.

GOP is basically acting like a mafia lawyer that doesn't wanna know when a murder is gonna happen so they can have plausible deniability.

Also this.

Good.

Democrats NEED to keep doing stuff like this. Even if Republicans don't budge, keep drawing that line in the sand.

It ties Republicans more and more to Trump. They won't be able to run from him come election time like they did in 2016. You stand for Trump. Force them to own it every day.

And, most importantly, shit like this keeps the base fired up.

 

[SURGEdude]

This kind of strategy is really smart to build up a warchest of documented republican douchebaggery ready to be used in midterm message building.

With someone as erratic as syphilitic brained DJ Trump you never know what mini-scandal will be in progress ready to be exploited come 2018. Coming to the fight with as a diverse an arsenal of easily digested transgressions has the potential to be game changing. 2018 is already going to be hard. The dems need to not just match the GOP's messaging prowess, but vastly surpass it.

 

[Slayven]

Put everything on the record, that is about all they can do. Receipts can be pulled later

 

[Syder]

Seems like the only way we'll see those tax returns is if someone leaks it.

Fake news leaked fake tax returns. They're not real. The audit is still on going. Don't trust fake news. SAD!

 

[sturgboski]

Y'know... I'm not for increasing the military, not for cutting the IRS budget, or cutting funding to the other services that Trump has suggested cutting funding to.... but...

THis has gotta be the most stupid thing I've read today.

The IRS makes $6 to every $1 spent because Americans are forced by law to pay taxes. Hahahah... Like, obviously the agency "makes money," it's the primary revenue source for the US government.

And also for christ sakes, you realize Donald Trump makes those same "invade middle east countries and steal their oil" comments, right? As much as Donald Trump and people like you wish it were so, the US did not take anybody's oil in any Middle East conflicts over the last 20 years.

I don't think you got my comment. As another poster pointed out, every dollar spent by IRS allows them to find those who didn't pay taxes, etc thus netting to $6 in return. I then contrasted that with the idea of throwing more money that quite frankly isn't needed to the military and how the only way the US would make the same return as It's is if Trump follows through on his steal the oil war crime statements. I'd suggest go back and reading before saying it's the stupidest thing you read as it appears everything you argued is what is in my statement though succinct and sarcastic with the stealing the oil comment.

 

[ZombiePlatypus]

Examining the President's tax returns are of no concern to congress. But her emails...

Yup. Dems should push for his tax records the way Trump bitched about Obama's birth record, and the way the right harped on and on about Benghazi and emails.

 

[numble]

Is Trump protected from criminal charges if his tax returns are leaked and show irrefutable evidence of criminal activity?

This is the one reason I don't want them to leak. He needs to actually receive justice for his crimes.

The tax returns wouldn't show criminal activity. The IRS would have prosecuted him for it. Look at what's on your tax return. They likely show semi-aggressive tax planning techniques, such as taking depreciation deductions on commercial property that is actually appreciating in value, using section 1031 to "sell" property without needing to pay taxes, etc.

 

[Squire]

Seems like the only way we'll see those tax returns is if someone leaks it.

I'm honestly surprised it's taking so long. No way someone in the IC doesn't have them.

 

[numble]

Y'know... I'm not for increasing the military, not for cutting the IRS budget, or cutting funding to the other services that Trump has suggested cutting funding to.... but...

THis has gotta be the most stupid thing I've read today.

The IRS makes $6 to every $1 spent because Americans are forced by law to pay taxes. Hahahah... Like, obviously the agency "makes money," it's the primary revenue source for the US government.

And also for christ sakes, you realize Donald Trump makes those same "invade middle east countries and steal their oil" comments, right? As much as Donald Trump and people like you wish it were so, the US did not take anybody's oil in any Middle East conflicts over the last 20 years.

The $6 for every $1 spent is for pursuing taxes that are not reported or paid.

 

[Deku Tree]

The tax returns wouldn't show criminal activity. The IRS would have prosecuted him for it. Look at what's on your tax return. They likely show semi-aggressive tax planning techniques, such as taking depreciation deductions on commercial property that is actually appreciating in value, using section 1031 to "sell" property without needing to pay taxes, etc.

They could very well show extensive business loans from Russian and other foreign banks. The press would spend years investigating all the shell companies etc.

 

[benjipwns]

They could very well show extensive business loans from Russian and other foreign banks. The press would spend years investigating all the shell companies etc.

Those don't go on your personal tax returns.

I mean, if you have halfway competent tax attorneys.

 

[LegendofJoe]

Walter Jones needs to switch parties. He's too good a person to remain a Republican. Your party is no longer recognizable, time to move on.

 

[benjipwns]

Walter Jones needs to switch parties. He's too good a person to remain a Republican. Your party is no longer recognizable, time to move on.

He'd be switching back, he was a Democrat until he lost running for his dad's seat. Then he ran as a Republican and has won since.

He's part of the Liberty Caucus that Ron Paul started.

 

[Dr.Acula]

The tax returns wouldn't show criminal activity. The IRS would have prosecuted him for it. Look at what's on your tax return. They likely show semi-aggressive tax planning techniques, such as taking depreciation deductions on commercial property that is actually appreciating in value, using section 1031 to "sell" property without needing to pay taxes, etc.

So if the IRS sees that candidate Trump was making deals with Russia, they wouldn't care as long as the i's were dotted and t's were crossed?

They could very well show extensive business loans from Russian and other foreign banks. The press would spend years investigating all the shell companies etc.

But if the press got hold of it, they could find separate things that may have been legal from a tax perspective, but illegal in terms of national security?

Those don't go on your personal tax returns.

I mean, if you have halfway competent tax attorneys.

But it's all for naught because it wouldn't be in there anyway?

 

[Deku Tree]

Those don't go on your personal tax returns.

I mean, if you have halfway competent tax attorneys.

If he is deriving income from Russian business interests, I doubt he could hide it on his tax returns.

 

[benjipwns]

It's not blanket illegal to do business with Russians.

A Russian oligarch is directly associated with funding the revival of one of our most storied sports franchise through sending them constant draft picks for example.

 

[Deku Tree]

No it's not blanket illegal but it could reveal conflicts of interest.

 

[Ithil]

It's not blanket illegal to do business with Russians.

A Russian oligarch is directly associated with funding the revival of one of our most storied sports franchise through sending them constant draft picks for example.

He vehemently denies having any dealings with Russia whatsoever.

 

[benjipwns]

No it's not blanket illegal but it could reveal conflicts of interest.

I'm sure the Trump Organization's legal filings are enough to spot a countless number of those.

He vehemently denies having any dealings with Russia whatsoever.

Danny Ainge?

 

[Bishman]

Awesome strategy. Get the GOP on record.

 

[Zolo]

Awesome strategy. Get the GOP on record.

Yep. The current GOP reps are doing what they can to not say anything too publicly supportive of stuff like Trump's press conference because they don't know what'll end up coming out of Trump's presidency or if it'll actually be revealed if he did any major wrong doing. That won't stop attack ads in the future showing when they've helped to cover up anything Trump may have though.

 

[Sho_Nuff82]

It's not blanket illegal to do business with Russians.

A Russian oligarch is directly associated with funding the revival of one of our most storied sports franchise through sending them constant draft picks for example.

I've had quite enough of your Nets bashing, sir.

 

[SURGEdude]

Awesome strategy. Get the GOP on record.

It warms my cockles to believe this man might just be the first president to end his days in jail.

Too good an end for a man whose sole accomplishment was that his dad wasn't as fecklessly weak and low virility as I suspect he is. But it's no surprise he comes from a stock of man who didn't know the abortion statutes of the state of NY. Stupid and racist seem like the only constants in that trash bag family of gauche degenerates.

Thank god for cholesterol.