The Atlantic

Republicans and Democrats Are Describing Two Different Constitutions

Conservatives and liberals both cite the nation’s charter, but they’re not talking about the same parts of it.
Source: Todd Taulman Photography / Shutterstock / The Atlantic

Updated at 10:08 a.m. ET on June 2, 2019.

Democratic and Republican politicians agree on one thing about President Donald Trump’s tax returns: The Constitution determines who can see them. Democrats such as Representative David Cicilline insist that Congress needs access to fulfill its “constitutional responsibilities of oversight” and evaluate possible violations of the Constitution’s . Republicans such as Representative Bradley Byrne insist that the House Ways and Means Committee’s for the returns raises “questions of grave constitutional significance.” According to Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, the request goes beyond what the Framers of the Constitution “had in mind” when they “created Article I.”

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