Progressives slam Neal over suit for Trump’s taxes
U.S. Rep. Richard Neal got a political slap in the face — instead of the usual slap on the back — from Democratic colleagues when he filed a lawsuit Tuesday demanding President Trump’s tax information.
“This should have been done a long time ago and the delay has really — really means that probably we see none of this this year,” complained U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) while on CNN on Tuesday night. Neal filed a lawsuit demanding access to six years of Trump’s tax returns.
Doggett, part of the progressive wing of Democrats inside the House of Representatives, sits on the Ways and Means Committee chaired by Neal.
“Being dilatory is not good when your opponent’s tactic is delay, delay, delay,” Doggett added.
Neal, as chairman, has the authority to demand Trump’s tax returns. He asked the IRS for the information in April and filed subpoenas in May.
“Due to that noncompliance, the Committee is now pursuing this matter in the federal courts,” Neal said Tuesday in a statement announcing his legal action.
Lawmakers and even members of the media voiced outrage, however, that the Springfield Democrat took so long.
“Neal has been totally asleep at the switch. It’s July. Where has he been?” CNN legal analyst Jeffery Toobin said.
“This is actually a very simple case that should have been filed in February, not in July and now it’s gonna be in the district court, in the circuit court and maybe in the Supreme Court. Who knows if it will even be resolved before the next presidential election,” Toobin said on CNN Tuesday night.
The outrage suggests the 70-yearold Neal could find himself targeted as a growing number of establishment Democrats have been for ouster by younger, liberal candidates. Somerville Democrat Michael Capuano, a self-described progressive incumbent who was beaten by U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley in 2018, is the most recent example.
Neal has already been singled out by the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, a group that supported U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
“Anyone paying attention knows that he stood in the way of requesting Trump’s tax returns,” said Adam Green, PCCC co-founder. “A primary would be very healthy in his district because local voters deserve better.”
Neal spokesman William Tranghese referred to Tuesday’s release when asked about the criticisms. But considering the grim fate of other long-serving Dems, the dean of the Massachusetts delegation might want to heed the warnings of his lefty colleagues if he wants to remain on Capitol Hill.