The Republican-led House Oversight Committee is closely monitoring the Biden administration’s efforts to increase voter participation.
Back in 2021, President Biden signed the following agreements: presidential order It directed government agencies to “examine ways to expand opportunities for people to register to vote.”
But Republicans question the constitutionality of the directive.
“Our concerns are compounded by the continued lack of transparency from federal agencies and the White House regarding the implementation of this executive order,” approximately 20 House Republicans wrote to Shalanda Young, Director of the Office of Management and Budget. stated in a letter.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) led the letter.
A group of Republicans on the Oversight Committee previously sent a letter to the General Services Administration and OMD outlining similar complaints.
In its latest letter, the group reiterated its concerns “about the lack of constitutional and statutory authority for federal agencies to engage in activities outside of their authorized missions.” .
They are now calling for a staff-level briefing on their concerns by May 20.
They are also seeking additional information on the legal legitimacy of the White House’s move, documents related to the executive order, and the possible use of third-party agencies to assist with voter registration.
Republicans gave the OMD director a March 28 deadline to spit out that information.
Biden’s Executive Order 14019 authorized “requiring and facilitating authorized nonpartisan third-party agencies and state agencies to provide voter registration services on government premises.”
Several republican lawmaker Conservative groups also raised concerns that the executive order could override anti-deficiency laws that prohibit federal agencies from using federal funds for “purposes not expressly authorized by Congress.” It has been announced.
On the other hand, left-wing groups, etc. American Civil Liberties Union He called on Biden, 81, to make greater use of his executive powers and encourage voter participation.
