WASHINGTON Republicans on the House Ways and Means Committee voted down a measure offered by Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) to force President Donald Trump to release his tax returns to the committee.

In a party-line vote on Tuesday, 24 committee Republicans voted against the measure and 16 Democrats voted for it.

This is the second time committee Republicans have voted to keep Trumps tax returns secret and the third time the House has held a vote on the subject. In February, committee Republicans sunk a prior measure from Pascrell, and then, on the floor of the House, Republicans beat back a resolution , also from Pascrell, to force the release of Trumps tax returns. Both votes were along party lines.

Trump has refused to voluntarily release his tax returns for public review, though every other president since Gerald Ford has released some portion of their tax returns. Trump claims he cant release his returns because theyre under a routine audit, but has provided no evidence of one. There is also no law or regulation preventing individuals from publicly disclosing their tax returns when they are under audit.

In an often-testy committee hearing, Republicans argued that Democrats were simply playing politics. Frankly, this resolution is a procedural tool being utilized, and I think abused, for obvious political purposes, committee chairman Kevin Brady (R-Texas) said.

Pascrell shot back it was entirely proper to use the law and added that the committee had a duty to ensure the presidents business interests dont conflict with his work for the American people.

It is our responsibility under the Constitution, Mr. Chairman very clear, very clear to provide oversight of the executive branch and root out conflicts of interest, Pascrell said. That is our responsibility.