Why against releasing Trump tax returns?

Bill Pascrell, New Jersey member of the House Ways and Means Committee, recently tried to invoke a 1924 law that allows house committee members to examine tax returns.

The original intent of the regulation was to enable congress to determine whether there were conflicts of interest or Constitutional violations on the part of elected officials. After reviewing the tax returns, the Committee could decide whether to release the information to the full house. Doing so would enable the entire world to see the returns. Pascrell's intent, of course, was to examine Donald Trump's tax returns.

Along party lines the Ways and Means Committee voted against examining Trump's return. Peter Roskam was included in the bloc opposed.

Why would any Illinois congressman or woman refuse to allow Trump's returns to see the light of day? An ABC News/Washington Post poll shows that 74 percent of Americans want to see the president's tax returns, and with good reason.

Roskam and other Illinois representatives who want to protect Trump need to explain themselves have some explaining to do. And when their explanations fall short, as they inevitably must, promptly be voted out of office at the next available opportunity.

Stephen Foust

Batavia