Dems to McConnell: Bring up Trump tax bill

Senate Democrats are calling on Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellMcConnell, Paul offer bill to cement tax provision benefiting bourbon makers Forget about Mueller, Democrats — we've got real work to do Overnight Defense: Trump vetoes Saudi arms sale resolutions | A look at Esper's first day as Pentagon chief | Iran, 'forever chemicals' mark early priorities | Budget deal set for Thursday House vote MORE (R-Ky.) to bring up legislation that would require presidential candidates release their tax returns.

"We're going to be here next week. We're probably going to have some downtime," Sen. Chris MurphyChristopher (Chris) Scott MurphyTensions flare amid Saudi fight in Senate The Hill's Morning Report — Mueller day finally arrives Democrats look to capitalize on turmoil inside NRA MORE (D-Conn.) told reporters. "There's no reason we couldn't vote."

Democrats have doubled down on their demand that Donald TrumpDonald John TrumpMcConnell, Paul offer bill to cement tax provision benefiting bourbon makers Creating opportunity for all Scarborough implores Democrats: Go hard after Trump or he'll win in 2020 MORE release his tax returns.

Minority Leader Harry ReidHarry Mason ReidAl Franken says he 'absolutely' regrets resigning Dems open to killing filibuster in next Congress Webb: Questions for Robert Mueller MORE (D-Nev.), who has called out the GOP presidential nominee nearly every day recently, added Thursday that Trump is "ethically compromised" and the "king of the welfare kings."

"Republicans refuse to apply basic standards of decency for their swindler in chief," he said.

Trump has said he won't release the returns while he's under audit, though the IRS has said he is free to do so.

Democrats are backing legislation from Sen. Ron WydenRonald (Ron) Lee WydenGOP blocks election security bills after Mueller testimony Hillicon Valley: FTC fines Facebook B in privacy settlement | Critics pan settlement as weak | Facebook also faces FTC antitrust probe | Senate panel advances 'deepfakes' legislation | House passes anti-robocall bill Senate Democrats will try to force vote on election security after Mueller hearings MORE (D-Ore.) that would require presidential candidates to release their tax returns within 15 days of receiving the party's nomination. It would also require the FEC would release the documents after 30 days, if a candidate did not.

Wyden tried to pass his bill earlier this month, but the move dissolved into a verbal scuffle with Sen. John CornynJohn CornynTexas Democratic Senate candidate says she does not support Green New Deal GOP pushback puts Trump judicial nominee at risk Bipartisan senators introduce bill to challenge new EPA policy and Supreme Court ruling on FOIA MORE (R-Texas), who wants to pass legislation that would strip Democratic nominee Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonSen. Warren, reliving the good old days, hopes for a recession Mueller testimony fails to move needle on impeachment Club for Growth warms to Trump after 2016 fight MORE of her security clearance.

The Oregon Democrat noted instead on Thursday that McConnell could set up a vote, arguing the legislation would pass.

The Senate is expected to be in session next week amid slow-moving talks on a stopgap government funding bill.

Democrats placed the tax return legislation on the Senate calendar earlier this week, which allows it to be scheduled for floor time or a vote. But they face an uphill battle to get every senator to agree to bring up the bill.