Rhode Island\u2019s state Senate passed a bill this week that would keep candidates off the presidential ballot in their state if they don\u2019t release five years’ worth of tax returns, according to the Providence Journal.<\/p>\n
State Sen. Gayle Goldin (D), who sponsored the bill, noted that every presidential candidate since Richard Nixon had released their tax returns voluntarily until President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE ran for office.<\/p>\n
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Trump has\u00a0repeatedly claimed that he cannot release his tax returns because he is under audit, but the IRS said an audit does not prevent a candidate\u00a0from releasing their personal tax information.<\/p>\n
Goldin argued that \u201ctax returns provide essential information about candidates\u2019 conflicts of interest.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tax returns, she continued, are vital information a voter needs to know about a candidate at the ballot box.<\/p>\n
The bill passed\u00a0the Democratic-majority\u00a0Senate on a 34-3 vote. It now moves to the Rhode Island state House.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n