The US House voted to hold two senior Trump administration officials in criminal contempt of Congress on Wednesday for defying subpoenas relating to the 2020 census.

House Democrats, who control the chamber, approved the measure after Attorney General Bill Barr and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross failed to produce key documents as requested by the subpoena.

The citations for the two officials were upheld 230 votes to 198, and is certain to reignite a dispute that involves all government branches surrounding the inclusion a question of citizenship on the census.

Holding cabinet officials in criminal contempt remains rare. But these are unusual circumstances in Washington DC because the White House has refused to cooperate with any subpoenas.

The result of the vote allows the House Oversight Committee to consider taking action against the Mr Barr and Mr Ross in federal court in order to have have the subpoenas enforced.