Republican says Trump should release tax returns, but votes against measure forcing it

Rep. David Young (R-Iowa) called for President Trump to release his tax returns during a town hall with his constituents, but then voted against a Democratic-led resolution that would require the president to release his taxes to Congress.

The Associated Press was the first to notice the shift.

“You run for president, you’re president, you should release your tax returns. It’s a distraction and I think the American people should know,” the congressman told a town hall last week, calling the decision a “no-brainer.”

Young then returned to Washington and joined the majority of Republicans who voted against the measure on Monday. The resolution would’ve asked Trump to release 10 years’ worth of tax returns for the House Ways and Means Committee to privately review.

{mosads}An aide to Young dismissed the measure, citing that it was not a serious legislative proposal, according to the AP. 

The spokesman, Taylor Mason, told the AP that Young “has publicly stated, while there is no legal requirement for the president to release his taxes, he personally believes he should per the longstanding voluntary tradition.”

He also called the Democratic effort “a partisan stunt.”

Young’s office did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment.

Young is not the only Republican to call on Trump to release his taxes but then vote against a Democratic measure.

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) similarly said Trump should release his taxes to a town hall audience last week, but joined the legions of Republicans who opposed the measure.

GOP Reps. Walter Jones (N.C.) and Mark Sanford (S.C.) both backed the measure asking Trump to release his tax returns. Jones is known to break with his party on votes, and Sanford publicly called on Trump to release his taxes.

Unlike most modern-day presidential candidates, Trump refused to release his tax returns during his campaign. He has said he is under an audit from the IRS in explaining his decision, though the IRS has said an audit does not prevent a person from releasing tax returns.

Democrats argue Trump is breaking dangerously from an important precedent in not releasing the tax forms, which they argue could provide information to voters about his business dealings around the world.