This story was updated at 6:07 p.m. EDT.

House Natural Resources Chairman Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) today announced he is postponing tomorrow's hearing to examine the Obama administration's moratorium on deepwater drilling in the aftermath of the BP PLC oil spill, citing uncertainty over whether the Interior Department would send witnesses.

The hearing originally scheduled for tomorrow morning will likely occur in September following the congressional recess, the committee said.

Hastings last week invited five Obama administration officials to testify on the crafting of a May 2010 agency report that mistakenly claimed scientists had supported a temporary moratorium on drilling, when in fact they had not. Interior quickly corrected the error and sent apologies to the scientists.

The committee said it pursued multiple contacts and inquiries with the agency over the past week, including today, but that it had not received a direct response confirming the attendance of witnesses.

"There is a clear pattern of actions by the Interior Department to withhold information and answers on the administration's falsely edited report and decision to impose a Gulf drilling moratorium that cost thousands of jobs, inflicted widespread economic harm and restricted American energy production," Hastings said in a statement.

An Interior spokesman said the agency "continues to work with the committee to meet their legitimate oversight interests."

Hastings has not said whether he will pursue a contempt of Congress charge, a move that would draw unwanted headlines as the presidential campaign season heats up.