WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the top Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee Kevin Brady (R-TX) sent a letter to Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) strongly cautioning the Chairman from moving forward with a potential subpoena or lawsuit of six years of President Donald J. Trump’s tax returns.

Rep. Brady wrote to Chairman Neal:

“Such actions would be an abuse of the Committee’s oversight powers and further examples of the Democrat majority’s coordinated attempt to weaponize the tax code and use Congress’s legitimate oversight authority for political gain.”

“It has been made clear that this information is not being sought to further a valid legislative purpose, but instead to try to embarrass a political enemy.  To properly exercise Congressional oversight authority, courts have long held that a valid legislative purpose is required for all congressional investigations.”

“. . . it has become obvious that your supposed legislative purpose is just a pretext, and your request is merely a means to access and make public the tax returns of a single individual for purely political purposes.   This is not a legitimate legislative purpose and therefore, any use of the Committee’s oversight authority in furtherance of such a request would set a dangerous precedent.”

“When Congress violates the rights of one taxpayer for political purposes, it begins the process of eroding the privacy rights of all taxpayers.”

“I urge you to consider carefully before deciding to use important congressional investigative tools for this illegitimate request.”

CLICK HERE to read the letter.