What's Trump Hiding in His Taxes? Senators Wyden and Murphy Want to Know

The Democrats are upping the pressure on Donald Trump to releases his taxes — now threatening legislation to force the case.

Senators Ron Wyden from Oregon and Chris Murphy from Connecticut told reporters Thursday that they will ask the Senate to take up the issue next month when Congress returns from summer recess.

The proposal, first unveiled in May by Wyden — the ranking member on the Senate Finance Committee — would require major party presidential candidates to make public at least three years of returns. If they didn't, the Federal Elections Commission would direct the Treasury Department to release them.

"The American people deserve to know if the president of the United States is making decisions in order to advance the best interests of the citizens of this country or the best interests of his wallet," said Murphy.

The senators raised the issue of Trump's connections to Russia and whether his policy statements are connected to investments he has in — or from — that country.

The Trump campaign, asked for a response, kept it simple.

"Mr. Trump is undergoing a routine audit," spokeswoman Hope Hicks told Patch.

Trump is the first candidate since 1972 to not release at least a summary of his taxes.

The Trump campaign has said that the tax returns are not being released on the advice of his lawyers.

Wyden was dismissive of such claims, adding it's unlikely that Trump's 2015 return was already being audited and that the presidency "is too important to gamble with.

"Since Watergate, every single Democrat, every single Republican has said this is something the American people have a right to have before they vote for the most important office in the world."

Since the Senate is controlled by the Republicans — they have been dismissive of this bill since it was first unveiled by Wyden — it's not clear it will even make to the floor for consideration.

Wyden says that's not acceptable.

"There isn't any excuse for any senator to provide political cover for any candidate," he said.

"We will do everything we can to bring this bill up immediately as soon as we get back."

"This is going to be a decision moment for the Republicans," added Murphy.