The lag in counting could lead to a delay in data necessary for forming congressional districts, the bureau argued. In response, the Trump administration requested to delay the deadline to deliver apportionment counts to President Donald Trump from December to April of next year.

President Donald Trump urged for an extension on the census during his daily coronavirus news briefing Monday, saying 120 days may not be "nearly enough."

"How can you possibly be knocking on doors for a long period of time now?" Trump said. "This is called an act of God. This is called a situation where they have to."

Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, chairwoman of the House Oversight Committee, said Monday that the committee would consider the request, but that the Trump administration was stonewalling in providing information vital in assessing the move.

Dillingham was not on the call to the committee requesting the deadline changes, Maloney (D-N.Y.) said in a statement. The committee has repeatedly requested a briefing with Dillingham but has not been able to secure one, Maloney said.

"If the Administration is trying to avoid the perception of politicizing the Census, preventing the Census Director from briefing the Committee and then excluding him from a call organized by the White House are not encouraging moves," Maloney said in the release.

During his news briefing Monday, Trump said the extension was necessary and even wondered aloud if congressional approval was necessary for changing the deadlines.

"I don't know if you even have to ask them," Trump said. The Constitution requires Congress to determine how the census is conducted.

Census Bureau spokesman Michael Cook said Ross was on calls with congressional leadership to discuss the plans and that Census career leadership had already provided two briefings with staff. Cook added that Dillingham plans to brief members "as soon as possible."

This year's census has already been fraught with partisan drama after Ross pushed for a question asking respondents' citizenship. Critics argued that doing could discourage undocumented immigrants from responding, leading to under-representation in Congress. The Supreme Court deemed the citizenship question illegal last summer.

Over 70 million people, or 48 percent of American households, have already responded to the census, according to Ross‘ and Dillingham's statement.