Statement by Senator Brad Hoylman on the Enactment of New Laws Protecting New Yorkers Against Presidential Abuses of Power
October 17, 2019
Hoylman: Combined with TRUST Act, New Law is New York’s ‘One-Two’ Punch Against Lawlessness
Governor Cuomo Has Now Signed Two Bills Sponsored By Senator Hoylman And Senate Colleagues To Curb Presidential Abuses of Power
NEW YORK—State Senator Brad Hoylman (D/WF-Manhattan) released the following statement after Governor Cuomo signed legislation (S.4572 (Kaminsky)/A.6653 (Lentol) and S.5072-A (Hoylman)/A.7194-A (Buchwald)) to end the double jeopardy loophole and enable requesting Congressional committees to obtain a President’s state tax information. As President Trump continues his abuses of power and conflicts of interest, Senator Hoylman and the New York State Senate are taking action to protect our democracy and constitution against abuses by this and future presidential administrations.
Senator Hoylman said, “Combined with our new law to require Trump hand over his state tax returns to Congress, the new law closing double jeopardy loophole is New York’s ‘one-two punch’ against the lawlessness perpetrated by Donald Trump. While the Trump Administration tramples on the constitution and the rule of law, New York is acting responsibly to hold the president accountable. I’m grateful to Governor Cuomo for signing these important bills into law and to Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Senator Todd Kaminsky for passing this legislation.”
Senator Hoylman’s TRUST Act (S.5072-A/A.7194-A), which allows New York State to share tax return information with Congressional investigations, was passed by the New York State Legislature and signed into law by Governor Cuomo earlier this year. Yesterday, Governor Cuomo signed additional legislation to close the ‘double jeopardy’ loophole (S.4572/A.6653) and reduce Trump’s power to pardon his corrupt associates; this legislation was advanced by Attorney General Letitia James, sponsored by Senator Todd Kaminsky and co-sponsored by Senator Hoylman.