“This has to be part of a carefully prepared and documented legal case,” Rep. Richard Neal said about demanding President Donald Trump’s tax returns. | Toya Sarno Jordan/Getty Images Finance & Tax Neal defends go-slow approach to seeking Trump's tax returns

House Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal on Thursday defended his go-slow approach to demanding President Donald Trump’s tax returns.

Under pressure from some liberal groups unhappy he hasn’t acted more quickly, Neal (D-Mass.) said: “You’re going to have to, I think, resist the emotion of the moment and make sure your case is carefully documented.”


“This is likely to become the basis of a long and arduous court case,” he told reporters. “You can’t step on your tongue.”

Neal declined to say when he might request the returns.

Tax March and other organizations released a letter addressed to Neal on Thursday complaining he is not moving fast enough to take advantage of a rarely used law allowing the heads of Congress’ tax committees to examine anyone’s returns. They want him to use that law to unmask Trump’s returns, which the president has refused to disclose.

The administration is likely to fight Neal in court. Trump has an incentive to tie up the issue in the legal system, perhaps in hopes Republicans retake the House in 2020.

Morning Tax Sign up for our tax policy newsletter and stay informed — weekday mornings, in your inbox. Email Sign Up By signing up you agree to receive email newsletters or alerts from POLITICO. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Even if Democrats do lay hands on the returns, experts say handling the information would be trickier than it appears. Improperly disclosing confidential tax information is a felony, and lawmakers could find themselves in legal jeopardy if they don’t follow strict rules.

“This has to be part of a carefully prepared and documented legal case,” said Neal. “It will be done judiciously and methodically, but it will be done.”

