WASHINGTON The chair of the U.S. House Oversight Committee on Tuesday asked the Commerce Department to turn over records about its Oct. 27 decision to temporarily stop issuing export licenses for most civilian firearms and ammunition for non-governmental users.

Representative James Comer, a Republican, asked Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo for documents and communications saying the committee wants "a full accounting of this action and how it will impact U.S. firearms manufacturers and the jobs that industry provides."

The Commerce Department's 90-day pause has some exemptions including export licenses for Ukraine and Israel, as well as some other close allies.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chris Reese)