Congress given access by NY governor to Trump's state tax returns

Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York has signed a bill that allows certain members of Congress to access President Donald Trump's New York state tax returns. The bill, which was passed weeks ago by the Democratically controlled state Legislature, aims to empower Congress to fulfill its Constitutional responsibilities and strengthen the democratic system.

The new bill requires New York officials to release tax returns of public officials that have been requested by congressional tax-related committees with a specified and legitimate legislative purpose. It makes it easier for New York to turn over the state tax returns of certain public office-holders and entities they control or have a large stake in.

However, it is important to note that the bill does not specify whether it applies to state or federal tax returns. Furthermore, the Democrat currently chairing the House Ways and Means Committee, Richard Neal, has stated that he will not request the state returns from New York.

The bill's passage and implementation could potentially lead to legal action against Trump or his associates. This is due to the fact that the new bill, if passed, would give state prosecutors the ability to pursue charges against individuals regardless of a presidential pardon. This is significant, considering Trump's recent comments about the possibility of pardoning those accused or convicted of crimes stemming from former special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation.

Governor Cuomo, a Democrat, has emphasised that the bill ensures that no one is above the law. He stated, "This bill empowers Congress to fulfill its Constitutional responsibilities and strengthen the democratic system."

It is worth mentioning that another bill aimed at Trump is being considered by Cuomo, which would allow state prosecutors to pursue charges against certain people even if they had received a presidential pardon.

Recently, Richard Neal, the Democrat chairing the House Ways and Means Committee, has sued the IRS and the Treasury Department for Trump's federal returns. This legal action, which was initiated just this week, underscores the ongoing efforts to access Trump's tax records.

Despite these developments, the new bill has not been signed into law yet. It remains to be seen how this will unfold in the coming days.

Congress given access by NY governor to Trump's state tax returns