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Connecticut's Chris Murphy said there are too many questions about whether Trump will make decisions to benefit his businesses or the country.
"The president of the United States is the most powerful person in the world and the American people deserve to know whether the president of the United States makes decisions in order to advance the interests of the citizens of this country or the best interest of his wallet," he said during a conference call Thursday.
He was joined by fellow Democratic U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon in the press conference. They say that Trump has broken with 40 years of presidential candidates releasing their income tax returns.
Wyden and Murphy will also push for the Senate to take up and pass immediately upon its return next month the Presidential Tax Transparency Act, legislation that would require candidates to release their tax returns shortly after becoming the official nominees of their parties.
Murphy accused Trump of viewing the presidential campaign as a way of making more money.
"I think it is very clear from the beginning that Donald Trump is determined to use this campaign as a way to enrich himself and build his empire," he charged. "He conducts almost every press conference and official event at one of his properties. He drags the entirety of the press corps oversees to view one of his foreign investments. He mentions his brands at almost every turn. Donald Trump is running for president at least in part to try to make himself more money."
The two senators also questioned whether his companies' investments in foreign countries, particularly Russia, will affect his judgment if he is elected president.
Murphy said Trump has released income tax information in the past when it was advantageous for him to complete business deals and called on him to do so now.
Wyden said Trump is not being transparent and open with Americans.
"In my view it is an affront to hardworking Americans," he said. "The bottom line is you just don’t get to hide your taxes."
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