OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Letter to Ms. Harriet Miers, Counsel to the President

Date: Oct. 24, 2005
Location: Washngton, DC
Issues: Executive Branch


Ms. Harriet Miers
Counsel to the President
The White House
Washington,DC 20500

Dear Ms. Miers:

Thank you for your letter dated September 23,2005, respondingto my request that
nominees to the Supreme Court ofthe United States provide copies oftheir Federal income tax
returns. Your letter correctly recites the current level of informationprovided by the
Administration. I am, however, not satisfied that the process you describe adequately considers
whether a nominee has complied with our nation's tax laws at a level beyond reproach and
commensurate with the high position of responsibility and honor of a Supreme Court Justice.

Those nominated have a duty and responsibility to assure the American public that
they are complying with our tax laws and paying their fair share of the Nation's revenue
needs. Information currently provided by the Administration regarding a nominee's tax
status does not include a thorough review of recently filed tax returns. Accordingly, I am
requesting that you provide copies of your Federal income tax returns for the past three years.

These tax returns will be made available to appropriate tax law experts on the Committee on
Finance and the nonpartisan Joint Committeeon Taxation for review. The tax returns will
not be made available for public inspection.

What taxpayers do on their tax returns is a window into what they would do in private
and is a good barometer of their integrity, character, and suitability for office. That is why
every nominee that is referred to the Committee on Finance provides copies of their Federal
income tax returns. It is important to the Constitutional process of advice and consent for the
Senate to have access to this information and not rely solely on the Executive Branch to
provide oversight.

Your prompt attention to this request is appreciated.
~~~ Ranking Member
...
Ms. Harriet Miers
Counsel to the President
The White House
Washington,DC 20500
Dear Ms. Miers:
Thank you for your letter dated September 23,2005, respondingto my request that
nominees to the Supreme Court ofthe United States provide copies oftheir Federal income tax
returns. Your letter correctly recites the current level of informationprovided by the
Administration. I am, however, not satisfied that the process you describe adequately considers
whether a nominee has complied with our nation's tax laws at a level beyond reproach and
commensurate with the high position of responsibility and honor of a Supreme Court Justice.
Those nominated have a duty and responsibility to assure the American public that
they are complying with our tax laws and paying their fair share of the Nation's revenue
needs. Information currently provided by the Administration regarding a nominee's tax
status does not include a thorough review of recently filed tax returns. Accordingly, I am
requesting that you provide copies of your Federal income tax returns for the past three years.
These tax returns will be made available to appropriate tax law experts on the Committee on
Finance and the nonpartisan Joint Committeeon Taxation for review. The tax returns will
not be made available for public inspection.
What taxpayers do on their tax returns is a window into what they would do in private
and is a good barometer of their integrity, character, and suitability for office. That is why
every nominee that is referred to the Committee on Finance provides copies of their Federal
income tax returns. It is important to the Constitutional process of advice and consent for the
Senate to have access to this information and not rely solely on the Executive Branch to
provide oversight.
Your prompt attention to this request is appreciated.
~~~ Ranking Member
...
Ms. Harriet Miers
Counsel to the President
The White House
Washington,DC 20500
Dear Ms. Miers:
Thank you for your letter dated September 23,2005, respondingto my request that
nominees to the Supreme Court ofthe United States provide copies oftheir Federal income tax
returns. Your letter correctly recites the current level of informationprovided by the
Administration. I am, however, not satisfied that the process you describe adequately considers
whether a nominee has complied with our nation's tax laws at a level beyond reproach and
commensurate with the high position of responsibility and honor of a Supreme Court Justice.
Those nominated have a duty and responsibility to assure the American public that
they are complying with our tax laws and paying their fair share of the Nation's revenue
needs. Information currently provided by the Administration regarding a nominee's tax
status does not include a thorough review of recently filed tax returns. Accordingly, I am
requesting that you provide copies of your Federal income tax returns for the past three years.
These tax returns will be made available to appropriate tax law experts on the Committee on
Finance and the nonpartisan Joint Committeeon Taxation for review. The tax returns will
not be made available for public inspection.
What taxpayers do on their tax returns is a window into what they would do in private
and is a good barometer of their integrity, character, and suitability for office. That is why
every nominee that is referred to the Committee on Finance provides copies of their Federal
income tax returns. It is important to the Constitutional process of advice and consent for the
Senate to have access to this information and not rely solely on the Executive Branch to
provide oversight.
Your prompt attention to this request is appreciated.
~~~ Ranking Member
...
Ms. Harriet Miers
Counsel to the President
The White House
Washington,DC 20500
Dear Ms. Miers:
Thank you for your letter dated September 23,2005, respondingto my request that
nominees to the Supreme Court ofthe United States provide copies oftheir Federal income tax
returns. Your letter correctly recites the current level of informationprovided by the
Administration. I am, however, not satisfied that the process you describe adequately considers
whether a nominee has complied with our nation's tax laws at a level beyond reproach and
commensurate with the high position of responsibility and honor of a Supreme Court Justice.
Those nominated have a duty and responsibility to assure the American public that
they are complying with our tax laws and paying their fair share of the Nation's revenue
needs. Information currently provided by the Administration regarding a nominee's tax
status does not include a thorough review of recently filed tax returns. Accordingly, I am
requesting that you provide copies of your Federal income tax returns for the past three years.
These tax returns will be made available to appropriate tax law experts on the Committee on
Finance and the nonpartisan Joint Committeeon Taxation for review. The tax returns will
not be made available for public inspection.
What taxpayers do on their tax returns is a window into what they would do in private
and is a good barometer of their integrity, character, and suitability for office. That is why
every nominee that is referred to the Committee on Finance provides copies of their Federal
income tax returns. It is important to the Constitutional process of advice and consent for the
Senate to have access to this information and not rely solely on the Executive Branch to
provide oversight.
Your prompt attention to this request is appreciated.
~~~ Ranking Member
...
Ms. Harriet Miers
Counsel to the President
The White House
Washington,DC 20500
Dear Ms. Miers:
Thank you for your letter dated September 23,2005, respondingto my request that
nominees to the Supreme Court ofthe United States provide copies oftheir Federal income tax
returns. Your letter correctly recites the current level of informationprovided by the
Administration. I am, however, not satisfied that the process you describe adequately considers
whether a nominee has complied with our nation's tax laws at a level beyond reproach and
commensurate with the high position of responsibility and honor of a Supreme Court Justice.
Those nominated have a duty and responsibility to assure the American public that
they are complying with our tax laws and paying their fair share of the Nation's revenue
needs. Information currently provided by the Administration regarding a nominee's tax
status does not include a thorough review of recently filed tax returns. Accordingly, I am
requesting that you provide copies of your Federal income tax returns for the past three years.
These tax returns will be made available to appropriate tax law experts on the Committee on
Finance and the nonpartisan Joint Committeeon Taxation for review. The tax returns will
not be made available for public inspection.
What taxpayers do on their tax returns is a window into what they would do in private
and is a good barometer of their integrity, character, and suitability for office. That is why
every nominee that is referred to the Committee on Finance provides copies of their Federal
income tax returns. It is important to the Constitutional process of advice and consent for the
Senate to have access to this information and not rely solely on the Executive Branch to
provide oversight.
Your prompt attention to this request is appreciated.
~~~ Ranking Member
...

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