While everyone’s attention was focused on Michael Flynn’s resignation, Republicans made sure the public wouldn’t get an important piece of the Trump-Russia puzzle:

x By a vote of 23-15, Republicans just voted to not request President Trump's tax returns from the Treasury Department. — Ways and Means Dems (@WaysMeansCmte) February 14, 2017

What financial ties—especially debts—does Donald Trump have to Russia? We don’t know. We can’t believe any answers Trump gives without proof, and Republicans won’t get us that proof. We’re not talking about some outlandish personal invasion here, just about Trump releasing the tax returns that every other president and presidential nominee has released for decades. And where six months ago we wanted Trump’s tax returns to answer routine questions like “does he pay taxes” and “how exaggerated are his claims about his wealth,” now they are, as Sen. Chris Murphy tweeted, “at the center of this strengthening hurricane.”

But thanks to House Republicans, Trump’s tax returns will remain a void at the center of the hurricane.