House extends ban on Democrats forcing oversight votes on Trump administration

House Republicans voted Wednesday to block lawmakers from forcing politically difficult votes demanding information from the Trump administration, shutting down a key oversight tool for the rest of the year.

Republicans tucked language extending a ban on resolutions of inquiry into a procedural vote, bringing a bill to “beautify the District of Columbia” to the House floor. The ban will now be in effect until January 2027.

The move spares GOP lawmakers from taking politically risky votes on transparency demands, while limiting the ability of House Democrats to pressure the administration.

A resolution of inquiry applies to the president or executive agencies and directs them to provide specific documents or information to the House. The resolutions become privileged after 14 legislative days if a committee does not act on them, meaning lawmakers can force a full vote on the House floor.

This is the third time the ban has