OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Protecting Our Democracy Act

Floor Speech

Date: Dec. 9, 2021
Location: Washington, DC

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Ms. ESHOO. Madam Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Maloney for her special leadership. I am so proud of my classmate.

Madam Speaker, as we gather here on the floor, it really is a somber day here at the Capitol with the remains of the former majority leader of the Senate, Senator Robert Dole. He was a man who fought for our democracy, paid for it in terms of the injuries that he sustained during the war, and came to Congress to defend our democracy.

That is what we are doing here on the floor of the House. We are working to protect our democracy. I am proud that my legislation is included in this. Let me say a few words about it.

Since Watergate, Presidential candidates and Vice Presidential candidates voluntarily put their tax returns out to the public. In 2016, there were two that were running, one on each side, that did not do that. I observed it. I was upset about it. I wrote legislation on it.

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Ms. ESHOO. Madam Speaker, what this legislation does is make it a requirement for those who seek the Presidency and the Vice Presidency to put out to the public their tax returns. Why? Tax returns contain vital information: whether a candidate has paid any taxes, what assets they own, how much they have borrowed, who they borrowed it from, have they taken advantage of tax loopholes of offshore tax shelters, whether they have foreign bank accounts, and if they have made charitable contributions.

Truth and transparency need to be a part of the democratic process. I am very proud and grateful that my legislation is contained in a bill that overall is called the Protecting Our Democracy Act.

Madam Speaker, all colleagues should vote for this because we raised our hands and pledged to protect our democracy and defend it against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague. We came to Congress together, and I thank her for her outstanding leadership in this body and her beautiful statement today.

Madam Speaker, may I inquire how much time remains.

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