The chairmen of the House Oversight and Reform, Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees wrote a letter Tuesday expressing their "deep concern" regarding former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli's appointment to serve as Acting Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Chairmen Elijah Cummings Elijah Eugene CummingsBlack GOP candidate accuses Behar of wearing black face in heated interview Overnight Health Care: US won't join global coronavirus vaccine initiative | Federal panel lays out initial priorities for COVID-19 vaccine distribution | NIH panel: 'Insufficient data' to show treatment touted by Trump works House Oversight Democrats to subpoena AbbVie in drug pricing probe MORE (D-Md.), Jerrold Nadler Jerrold (Jerry) Lewis NadlerDemocrats shoot down talk of expanding Supreme Court Schumer: 'Nothing is off the table' if GOP moves forward with Ginsburg replacement Top Democrats call for DOJ watchdog to probe Barr over possible 2020 election influence MORE (D-N.Y.) and Bennie Thompson Bennie Gordon ThompsonHouse panel pans ICE detention medical care, oversight Senate to hold nomination hearing for Wolf next week Hillicon Valley: FBI chief says Russia is trying to interfere in election to undermine Biden | Treasury Dept. sanctions Iranian government-backed hackers MORE (D-Miss.) said in the letter to Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan that they believe Cuccinelli's appointment "circumvents the Federal Vacancies Reform Act after Republican Senators told President Trump Donald John TrumpSteele Dossier sub-source was subject of FBI counterintelligence probe Pelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Trump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance MORE that the Senate would not confirm Mr. Cuccinelli as Director."

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The Federal Vacancies Reform act stipulates that an acting official must be the agency’s top deputy, another Senate-confirmed official or a senior agency official who had been in their job for at least 90 days prior to a vacancy.

Nadler, Thompson and Cummings requested that the Department of Homeland Security provide "a detailed explanation of the legal basis for his appointment" as well as certain documents and a briefing on the matter.

"It appears the Administration was aware that Mr. Cuccinelli could not be appointed Acting Director of USCIS consistent with the Federal Vacancies Reform Act," they wrote.

The Hill has reached out to the White House, Department of Homeland Security and USCIS for comment.

At the time of Cuccinelli's appointment earlier this month, A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said “Mr. Cuccinelli’s appointment is in accordance with the Federal Vacancies Reform Act,” but did not elaborate.

Cuccinelli, who shares many of Trump's views on immigration, is replacing Lee Francis Cissna, who left his role amid a DHS leadership shakeup reportedly orchestrated by White House policy adviser Stephen Miller Stephen MillerSpecial counsel investigating DeVos for potential Hatch Act violation: report Trump confirms another White House staffer tested positive for COVID-19 Biden pick creates furor, underscoring bitterness over Obama immigration policy MORE.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellTrump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance On The Money: Anxious Democrats push for vote on COVID-19 aid | Pelosi, Mnuchin ready to restart talks | Weekly jobless claims increase | Senate treads close to shutdown deadline The Hill's Campaign Report: Trump faces backlash after not committing to peaceful transition of power MORE (Ky.) and other GOP senators had earlier warned Trump against selecting Cuccinelli for DHS chief or other positions that require Senate confirmation.

The full text of the letter can be read below.

—Updated at 2:26 p.m.