Dozens of Democrats in the House and Senate have proposed legislation that would allow lawsuits against President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect Pence if they fail to quickly submit detailed financial data, including their tax returns.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Mass., offered the bill along with dozens of their Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate on Monday.
Under their proposal, Trump and Pence would be required to release detailed financial disclosure forms, including their last three years of tax returns, within 30 days after they take office. It would also require them to fully divest from “any financial interest posing a potential conflict of interest.”
The Office of Government Ethics would then have to provide annual reports on the president and vice president on possible conflicts of interest.
If Trump or Pence failed to comply within 30 days after they take office, or if the OGE did not get the information it needs, Trump and Pence would be open to lawsuits.
“The Attorney General, the attorney general of any state, or any person aggrieved by any violation … may seek declaratory or injunctive relief in a court of competent jurisdiction,” the bill said.
The bill also holds it’s a sense of the Congress that a violation of language in the bill would “constitute a high crime or misdemeanor” under the Constitution.
Democrats have been attacking Trump for his failure to submit tax information during or after the presidential campaign. Many say they’re worried that foreign governments looking to win favor with Trump could stay at his hotels, or employ other elements of Trump’s huge business empire while he sits in the White House.
“The American people need to be able to trust that the president’s decisions are based on the best interests of families at home, and not the president’s financial interests,” Clark said.
