Cristina Marcos 2 hrs ago THE HILL
House Democrats are growing frustrated in their efforts to oversee the federal government's response to the coronavirus pandemic as President Trump said Tuesday that he's blocking officials from testifying in the lower chamber because he doesn't want them taking questions from "a bunch of Trump haters."
Trump's blunt reasoning for refusing to cooperate with congressional oversight handled by members of the opposition party marked a shift from the explanation offered by the White House a day earlier that officials tasked with coronavirus response were too busy to accommodate every request to testify before congressional committees.
A House Appropriations subcommittee had sought testimony from Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious diseases expert, about the federal government's handling of the coronavirus response. But the White House blocked Fauci from testifying at a hearing scheduled for Wednesday, instead saying that he will testify next week before the GOP-controlled Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
Trump made clear on Tuesday that his administration is deliberately choosing which committees can hear from top officials based on which party is in charge. Senate Democrats will still be able to ask pointed questions at committee hearings, but the proceedings will be managed by Republicans.
"The House is a set up. The House is a bunch of Trump haters," Trump told reporters outside the White House.
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