direct the department lawyers to draft that request? >> congresswoman, the department is currently defending the census bureau -- >> did attorney general sessions ask or are you refusing to answer the question? >> i think it's inappropriate for me to comment about the subject of ongoing litigation. >> okay. mr. chairman, i'd like to reflect that mr. whitaker hasn't answered the question and i'd asked this matter to be addressed in the upcoming deposition. let's see. do you know if the president directed department of justice lawyers to make that request? >> congresswoman, this is the subject of ongoing litigation -- >> okay, you're not going to answer that question either. thank you. was acting assistant attorney general john gore involved in the drafting of that request to add the census question? >> congresswoman, as i've previously stated. this is the subject of ongoing litigation -- >> so we'll let the record reflect that again you're