House GOP Blocks Dem Inquiries Into Trump Admin

House Republicans, led by Speaker Mike Johnson, passed a rule change by a 216-208 party-line vote that blocks Democrats from using resolutions of inquiry (ROIs) to demand information from the Trump administration until the end of September. The move, passed by the House Rules Committee, curtails a key minority oversight tool as Democrats investigate Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s use of private Signal chats to discuss military operations in Yemen and alleged misconduct involving administration figures such as Elon Musk. The rule prevents Democrats from forcing votes on ROIs, effectively freezing more than a dozen pending inquiries. Republicans argue the change prevents political stunts and enables a focus on legislative business. Critics, including Democrats and Republicans like Sen. Rand Paul and Rep. Don Bacon, say it undermines congressional oversight and shields Trump and his allies from scrutiny. The rule will expire at the end of September.