Susan Collins (Senate Intel) says investigation could result in subpoena for Trump tax returns

[Amaryllis]

A Republican in the Senate Intelligence Committee just said that the panel’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 elections could possibly result in a subpoena for President Trump’s tax returns.

Senator Susan Collins was asked by the host of local radio program Maine Public whether Trump’s tax returns would be requested as a part of the Russia investigation.

“If it’s necessary to get to the answers then I suspect we would,” Collins said, though she did say that she was unsure at this point whether such an action would be compulsory to their investigation.

(snip)

Collins was one of two Republican Senators to vote against the confirmation of Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education, forcing a tie-breaking vote by Vice President Pence.

“All of us are determined to get the answers,” Collins said. “In some ways, this is a counterintelligence cooperation — in many ways — and that’s what our committee specializes in.”

More:
http://usuncut.com/news/republican-senator-says-shes-open-demanding-trumps-tax-returns/

At Wyden's town hall Saturday, he said numerous times,emphatically, that getting the tax returns released was critical to getting to the bottom of the issue.

[Thinkingabout]

1. What is Trump hiding, he thinks he is slick enough to ignore any request to reveal his finances, etc

[Frogg]

2. Possible the Comey meeting had an effect?

Articles coming out now she may be siding with the Dems on this investigation which would be huge! Crossing my fingers she is not playing both sides but a little glimmer of hope in the place it matters most right now.

GOP senator wants Mike Flynn to testify before Congress about his Russia connections
Sen. Susan Collins says she’s also open to subpoenaing Trump’s tax returns.


Sen. Susan Collins. CREDIT: Video screengrab

Despite many unanswered questions about connections between President Donald Trump, his inner circle, and Russian officials, Republican members of Congress have so far been reluctant to pursue a robust investigation.
But during an interview with Maine Public Radio on Wednesday, Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) expressed confidence that Congress will conduct a thorough, bipartisan investigation.
“I am confident that since this is a completely bipartisan investigation with full-time staff, that we’ll get to the bottom of this,” she said, adding that she anticipates the investigation will culminate in a public report.
Trump knew Flynn talked sanctions with Russia, but didn’t tell Pence

The president reportedly withheld crucial information from his vice president.
thinkprogress.org
Collins, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said she and other members want former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn to testify before them. Flynn lost his job last Monday after it was revealed he had lied about discussing Russian sanctions during his pre-inauguration communications with the Russian ambassador. The next day, news broke that the Trump campaign was in “constant contact” with Russian intelligence before the election. The U.S. intelligence community has made public its findings that Russia used cyberattacks and other methods to meddle in the presidential election on behalf of Trump.
“I am going to request, and many of the members will, that we call Mike Flynn to come testify — the former national security adviser — to testify before us, so we’re not going to exclude anyone from our review,” Collins said. “It will be thorough, accurate, bipartisan, and in depth.”
Collins even signaled openness to subpoenaing Trump’s tax returns in hopes of shedding light on his financial dealings in Russia.
Asked whether they’d request Trump’s returns, Collins said, “If it’s necessary to get to the answer, then I suspect that we would.”
Trump claims he has ‘nothing to do with Russia.’ His son said the opposite.

Donald Trump Jr. claimed “we see a lot of money pouring in from Russia.”
thinkprogress.org
Collins’ comments come days after FBI Director James Comey briefed the Senate Intelligence Committee. According to CNN, the briefing was about Russia. Senators were very tight-lipped afterward, but later that evening, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) tweeted this:

The top Democrat on the committee, Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, has also expressed confidence that the Senate will be able to conduct a thorough, bipartisan investigation.

[Amaryllis]

3. LInk for the think progress text you referenced:

https://thinkprogress.org/susan-collins-russia-investigation-michael-flynn-e38f7a927c16#.2avagtz2y

There is also a twitter post from Marco Rubio:
I am now very confident Senate Intel Comm I serve on will conduct thorough bipartisan investigation of #Putin interference and influence

[mopinko]

4. marco has reason to want this all to come out.

we all talk about the general, but who knows what happened in the primary.

[colorado_ufo]

5. Ta-da!

That would be excellent, to get hold of those tax returns. Can you imagine being the IRS auditor who has to keep his/her mouth shut after reviewing those returns? Sitting on potentially explosive information?

I have one concern: Wasn't Cheney supposed to testify in front of Congress, and he basically ignored the demand? And to this day he continues on like nothing happened? He even gives talk show interviews - or used to.

[LuvLoogie]

6. I don't believe one fucking thing she says.

The GOP uses Collins like a pressure release valve. Her vote will never be a deciding vote for our side. Never.

[C Moon]

7. I agree with "LuvLoogie"

Something stinks here.