NJ Senate passes bill that would prevent Trump from voting for 2020 unless he publishes tax returns

The New Jersey State Senate overwhelmingly voted in favor of passing a bill that would prevent presidential candidates from being registered in the 2020 poll unless they publish their tax return.

According to the Post Courier, the Senate, controlled by the Democrats, passed this measure on Nov. 23 during a vote at 23-to-11, referring the bill back to the Assembly Committee and to the House of Commons. 39 whole legislature for a vote before going to Governor Phil's office. Murphy (D) for review.

The controversial measure would deprive presidential and vice-presidential candidates from appearing on the state ballot if they do not publicly release five of their most recent tax returns at least 50 days before the general election. 2020.

The bill, if enacted, will also prohibit state electors from voting for candidates for the office of president and vice-president under the electoral college system if they decide not to comply. to the legislation.

President TrumpDonald John TrumpJustice is preparing the Mueller report as early as next week: Smollett 's lawyers declare the innocent star of "Empire". Pelosi asks members to support the resolution against the emergency declaration MORE has always drawn criticism on his refusal to publish his tax returns, the first candidate of the majority in the White House not to do so.

The New Jersey legislature passed the same bill in 2017, but the measure was blocked by a government veto at the time. Chris Christie (D), who called it "a transparent political coup" at the time.

Proponents of the measure said lawmakers have the constitutional right to adopt such a restriction on access to the polls, saying that voters should be able to examine the income tax returns of presidential candidates and to the vice-presidency.

"It is so obvious with this president that voters knew some of his business interests, he may not have been elected president," said Senator Loretta Weinberg (D), sponsor of the bill, at Courier Post. .

However, others have argued that the bill is unconstitutional and opens the door to more applications from candidates in the future.

"Today, we need tax returns, but what would be next?" Jerry Brown (D), a former governor of California, reportedly asked in 2017 for a veto on a tax measure. similar introduced in his State.

"Five years of health records? A certified birth certificate? High school reports? And will these requirements vary according to the political party in power? He asked.

Senator Joe Pennacchio (R), in the state of New Jersey, said in a statement to the local newspaper that the bill should be amended to apply equally to candidates for governors, of senator and president.

"What's good for the goose is what's good for the gander," Pennacchio told the publication. "It's really about making sure that voters are well informed, common sense is that [the bill] should apply to us all. "

Pennacchio's amendments were reportedly blocked by state democrats.