washington u.s. senators party week criticize trump administration decision government agencies provide information democratic lawmakers say step prevent congress carry constitutional duties budget nomination hear senators press current prospective officials justice department legal opinion date may 1. opinion say information request executive agencies senior democrats congressional committees call rank members trigger obligation accommodate congressional need legally enforceable subpoena contempt proceed opinion largely unprecedented say agencies require give information committee chair position hold members majority party congress currently republicans control chamber congress white house lawmakers first learn guidance media report last month say agencies president donald trump become less responsive make hard check whether executive branch correctly carry laws require constitution republicans also question allow agencies ignore request congress missouri senator claire mccaskill democrat rank member governmental affairs committee look waste fraud abuse federal government grow enrage wednesday nominee white house budget office would commit respond without reservation inquiries nominee office management budget deputy director russell vought say confirm post responses would subject discretion director advice legal counsel add merely reflect administration policy call legal guidance hogwash mccaskill cast withhold information administration attempt hide problems wrongdoing welcome big league administration happen get oversight say add problems receive information extent democrats republican committee ohio rob portman say head budget office former president george w. bush find deal congress often frustrate felt responsibility provide information say add hop vought would confirm job version story correct show senator mccaskill missouri michigan senators criticize trump 's information shut-out democrats