After Democrats announced a hearing in which the Ways and Means Committee would review confidential materials, press reports stated that “Trump Tax Returns May Be Released After House Panel Meets Tuesday” (Wall Street Journal, Dec. 16). Ways and Means Republican Leader Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX) issued the following statement:

“Ways and Means Democrats are unleashing a dangerous new political weapon that reaches far beyond President Trump, and jeopardizes the privacy of every American.

“Going forward, partisans in Congress have nearly unlimited power to target political enemies by obtaining and making public their private tax returns to embarrass and destroy them. This is not limited to public officials, but can target private citizens, business and labor leaders, and Supreme Court justices.

“We urge Democrats, in their rush to target former President Trump, not to unleash this dangerous new political weapon on the American people.”