ICYMI: Rep. Stevens Introduces “Release Your Taxes Act”

May 4, 2026

Washington, D.C. – In case you missed it, last week Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens introduced the Release Your Taxes Act. After leading by example and releasing her own 2025 tax returns, Rep. Stevens is now calling on her fellow Members of Congress and congressional candidates to do the same. This legislation is designed to force federal lawmakers to meet the public’s demand for transparency and ensure that those in power are held to the same financial standards as hard-working Michiganders. By mandating total disclosure, Rep. Stevens is working to eliminate financial secrecy in Washington and prove that public service is about serving the people, not getting rich in office.

Here’s what Michiganders are seeing about Rep. Haley Stevens pushing to make sure Congress puts constituents first not personal profit:

Michigan Advance: Haley Stevens introduces bill calling on all members of Congress to release their tax returns

By: Ben Solis

Stevens’ “Release Your Taxes Act” would require all congressional lawmakers in both chambers — as well as candidates for Congress — to disclose their tax returns each year.
“There are already too many millionaires in Congress,” Stevens said in a statement. “Americans agree, and they deserve to know who they are voting for each election.”
Members and candidates who do not comply with disclosure requirements will have their names listed on the public database until they comply, or for six years after the date on which the individual is no longer a member or a candidate.
“I’m not a millionaire, and at a time when Michiganders are sick and tired of politicians running for office to get rich, we owe the public the transparency they deserve,” Stevens added. “This bill would make every Member of Congress and candidate to do the same.”

Washington Post: Early Brief – What We’re Watching

By: Matthew Choi & Dan Merica

Rep. Haley Stevens…is introducing a bill today that would require all members of and candidates for Congress to disclose their tax returns in a publicly searchable database. Those who did not would be named and shamed on the database for up to six years.
“Trust has really broken down,” Stevens told us. “Trust in our government institutions and government officials — a president who would never release his tax returns.”
“I recently took the step and released my tax returns, in part because of the cost-increasing measures that have just whacked Michiganders, and because I’m not a millionaire,” Stevens told us.

WLNS: Stevens introduces bill requiring members of Congress to publicly release tax returns

By Brad LaPlante

U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Birmingham, introduced legislation Thursday that would require all members of Congress and congressional candidates to publicly disclose their federal tax returns each year.
Stevens says it’s a challenge to a culture of financial secrecy in Washington.
The bill comes days after Stevens voluntarily released her tax return ahead of Tax Day. Her return showed an adjusted gross income of $169,970, a standard deduction of $22,272, and a total tax liability of $28,249. The return showed that she earned no income outside her congressional salary.
“I’m not a millionaire, and at a time when Michiganders are sick and tired of politicians running for office to get rich, we owe the public the transparency they deserve,” Stevens said, announcing the legislation.
Earlier this year, Stevens also introduced a bill that would prohibit members of Congress from trading individual stocks, though several other efforts to rein in stock trading by Congress are underway.

WJR:

“It became apparent to me, that as we run for office and serve in federal office, we do financial disclosures. But why not just release tax returns and actually just show your standing?”
“I, unlike many people, maybe some in our White House, I haven't been using my position in elected office to get rich. Actually, far from it. And so voters in these times of high distrust. What they feel as though is corruption, and in some cases, it obviously is.”
“You know, I've also written legislation to ban stock trading, not only for elected officials, but also their spouses and their children, and extend that over to the president and vice president and candidates for those offices. Why not take the step of seeing tax returns come forward?”

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