IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig wouldn't say Wednesday that he alone would determine how to respond to Democrats' request for Trump's tax returns, disappointing Democrats who think that the Treasury Department should not be involved.

"Remember that we're a bureau of the Treasury. We are supervised by the Treasury," Rettig said at a Senate Finance Committee hearing.

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal Richard Edmund NealRep. Bill Pascrell named chair of House oversight panel Rep. Cedric Richmond set to join House Ways and Means Committee Coons beats back progressive Senate primary challenger in Delaware MORE (D-Mass.) asked Rettig last week to provide him with six years of Trump's personal and business tax returns by Wednesday.

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The tax-code provision that Neal made the request under references the Treasury Secretary, but Neal sent the letter to Rettig because Treasury has delegated tax-administration responsibilities to the IRS.

Democrats argue that that delegation means that Treasury shouldn't play a role in determining how to respond to Neal's request, and that the decision should be up to Rettig.

"I think it's unfortunate that you're just not saying, 'it's my job and my job alone,'" said Senate Finance Committee ranking member Ron Wyden Ronald (Ron) Lee WydenGOP set to release controversial Biden report Democrats fear Russia interference could spoil bid to retake Senate GOP senator blocks Schumer resolution aimed at Biden probe as tensions run high MORE (D-Ore.).

"I'm aware of the delegation order, as is Treasury, but you must be aware that we're a bureau of Treasury and the Treasury supervises us," Rettig replied.

Sen. Mark Warner Mark Robert WarnerIntelligence chief says Congress will get some in-person election security briefings Overnight Defense: Trump hosts Israel, UAE, Bahrain for historic signing l Air Force reveals it secretly built and flew new fighter jet l Coronavirus creates delay in Pentagon research for alternative to 'forever chemicals' House approves bill to secure internet-connected federal devices against cyber threats MORE (D-Va.) also said he hopes that Rettig ensures that as he responds to Neal's request, he does so "without any interference from the Treasury secretary or anybody at the White House."

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Rettig said no one in the Trump administration has discussed with him how he'd comply with a request for Trump's tax returns, and that no one at the White House has given him any instruction to not provide the returns.

The commissioner also said he would inform the Finance Committee if anyone at the White House asks him to not comply with Neal's request. He said he believes the law says that anyone at the IRS who received such an ask from the White House would have to report it to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.

Wednesday was the second consecutive day when Rettig was asked about the tax-return request during congressional hearings. He made similar comments on Tuesday before a House Appropriations subcommittee. During that time, he also said that he had spoken to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin Steven Terner MnuchinOn The Money: Powell, Mnuchin stress limits of emergency loans | House seeks to salvage vote on spending bill | Economists tell lawmakers: Kill the virus to heal the economy Economists spanning spectrum say recovery depends on containing virus Powell, Mnuchin stress limits of current emergency lending programs MORE to inform him that he received the request.

Mnuchin also testified before Congress on Tuesday, saying that Treasury's lawyers discussed the tax-return issue with White House lawyers before Neal made his request, but that he personally hadn't spoken to anyone at the White House about the matter.

While the IRS has a deadline of midnight to provide Trump's tax returns to the Ways and Means Committee, it isn't clear exactly if and how the agency will respond.

“We received the letter, we’re working on the letter with counsel, and we anticipate responding,” Rettig said.