Rep. Chu Statement on Ways & Means Vote to Release President Trump’s Tax Returns to the Public

WASHINGTON, DC – Last night, the House Ways and Means Committee voted to make eight years of President Trump's tax returns available to the public. Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27), a member of the Ways and Means Committee, voted in favor of the final motion and issued the following statement:

"I was proud to vote in favor of accountability and transparency in government and to begin to restore the American public's trust in our highest officials. The Ways and Means Committee has a duty to the American people to ensure the nation's tax laws are administered properly and that public officials—particularly the President—are complying with them. While House Democrats took that duty seriously, it's regrettable—but not surprising—our colleagues on the other side of the aisle did not join us. The Presidential Mandatory Tax Audit has been in place since 1977, but was dormant during the Trump Administration. In fact, the mandatory audit of President Trump's returns only began after Chairman Neal made his request for these materials, and what is astonishing is that none of the audits for all of the years of Trump's presidency have been completed to this day.

"No president can be above the law, and Americans must have confidence that their elected officials will not allow the wealthy and well-connected to be above the law. We now have the information we need to require Presidents to meet a reasonable standard of financial transparency. It is critical that Americans can see for themselves what led to our conclusions, which is why my colleagues and I voted to release these tax returns. Finally, I commend Chairman Neal who, throughout the past three and a half years of ultimately meritless legal battles, has conducted the process of obtaining and reviewing these materials with care, respect, and an adherence to the rule of law."