(CNN) A tense fight between House Democrats and President Donald Trump's administration over Cabinet officials resisting testifying on Capitol Hill escalated Wednesday when the House Homeland Security chairman warned he would not hesitate to issue a subpoena for Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen to appear before his panel. Rep. Bennie Thompson, a Mississippi Democrat, sharply criticized Nielsen for refusing to testify February 6 though the Department of Homeland Security said she is open to other dates and that she had proposed alternate dates in February. Thompson said Wednesday that "I think not having any communications with the secretary is not where we need to be." "Members of Congress need to hear from her. It's not an unusual request for the committee to hear from the head of the department," he added.

Source: CNN January 31, 2019 01:42 UTC