So having followed well-established statutory steps granted to his authority as the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Richie Neal submitted a written request to get six years of Donald Trump's tax returns. He was rejected.
So then he served a legally binding subpoena on the Treasury Department and the IRS. He was ignored.
So now he is suing in federal court, naming as defendants Treasury, the IRS, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig, the Trump toadies who are blocking Neal's request.
Good luck, Mr. Chairman. We hope that somewhere down the line, after the district court, appeals court and Supreme Court have ruled in your favor, you'll be able to get Trump's 1040s to be used only in executive session of the panel.
Meanwhile, it's unlikely that the public and, come next year, the voters, will see Trump's mystery returns. In this matter, transparency lies in Albany, where the Legislature and Gov. Cuomo have the power to enact a law to publish the state income tax returns of statewide elected officials, including the president.
The fraidy cats chose not to do that, but instead passed a bill in May to send Neal the state returns if he asks for them. Cuomo hasn't signed it and there is no reason he should. Neal will not ask for the state returns, as his lawsuit makes absolutely clear.
Albany should do the country a favor and pass the better bill to show the world what Trump is hiding.
