Congress could soon have access to President Trump’s New York tax returns after Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill allowing for a “workaround” for congressional Democrats who have unsuccessfully tried to get Trump’s federal returns.
The bill, which might face a legal challenge, amends state law to require the commissioner of the Department of Taxation and Finance to hand over information from certain individuals and committees in Congress, including the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, the Senate Finance Committee, or the Joint Committee on Taxation. Prior to the legislation’s passage, state tax returns could only be obtained from law enforcement.
Cuomo, 61, an outspoken critic of Trump, said in a Monday press release that the legislation would bolster Congress’ powers and efforts to carry out investigations.
“Tax secrecy is paramount – the exception being for bonafide investigative and law enforcement purposes,” Governor Cuomo said. “By amending the law enforcement exception in New York State tax code to include Congressional tax-related committees, this bill gives Congress the ability to fulfill its Constitutional responsibilities, strengthen our democratic system and ensure that no one is above the law.”
Democrats have been working to get Trump’s federal tax records, with the House Ways and Means Committee unsuccessfully requesting them before being shot down by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.
House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler of New York described the New York legislation as “a workaround to a White House that continues to obstruct and stonewall the legitimate oversight work of Congress.”
The chairman of the New York Republican Party, Ed Cox, blasted the legislation in May and critiqued Democrats for meddling in national politics.
“The Democratic legislature and Gov. Cuomo are suffering from ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’ and playing politics at the expense of doing the people’s business,” Cox said.
Trump has bucked tradition and refused to release his tax returns to the public, saying he did so because he was under audit.
