Fox’s first appearance: The House Small Business Committee on Tuesday accused the Small Business Administration of a lack of transparency in the Biden administration’s potentially unconstitutional effort to funnel resources to key battleground states to increase voter registration. Summoned.
On Tuesday, the committee cited SBA Chief of Staff Arthur Prouse and Special Counsel Tyler Robinson for failing to appear for a scheduled transcribed interview with the committee in connection with the program’s alleged “diversion of programming.” A subpoena was issued for failing to produce documents. Dividing resources away from helping Main Street register Democratic voters in the key battleground state of Michigan.
The committee says this action is the first in its history to summon the agency.
In March, Biden’s SBA announced a memorandum of understanding with the Michigan Department of State to “promote citizen engagement and voter registration in Michigan,” calling it a “first-of-its-kind collaboration.” The agreement is expected to be concluded until March. January 2036.
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SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman said in a press release that the partnership will “help connect Michiganders to important Michigan voter registration information and empower more small business owners to exercise their right to vote.” It will become.”
The coordination between the SBA and the State of Michigan began as follows. 2021 Executive Order Biden has directed federal agencies to promote “access to voting,” leading to increased voter registration in battleground states that many believe will be among the swing states in November’s election. Some feared that the administration was using government agencies.
The commission said both Prouse and Robinson voluntarily avoided addressing those concerns, which led to Tuesday’s subpoenas.
Williams is targeting a partnership started by the Michigan Department of State and Small Business Administration Secretary Isabel Guzman. (Getty Images)
Rep. Roger Williams (R-Texas) outside the House Republican Conference campaign meeting at the Longworth Building on Tuesday, October 24, 2023. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc, via Getty Images) (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc, via Getty Images)
“The fact that we have to issue subpoenas to speak with SBA officials is extremely disappointing,” House Small Business Committee Chairman Roger Williams told Fox News Digital.
“The Committee did not take these actions and instead gave these two individuals the opportunity to speak with us voluntarily, which appears to be the only way to get them to comply with our oversight responsibilities. The American people “The SBA is entitled to answers and transparency about their campaign activities,” Williams continued, “about the SBA and how they intend to participate in the next federal election.” “The SBA’s sole mission is to help Main Street thrive and grow, but they have repeatedly strayed from that mission to pursue outside political objectives. It is unfortunate that we have reached this point. But this committee, on behalf of the SBA, is determined to get answers.” Americans. ”
Williams’ committee is investigating cooperation between the Small Business Administration and the Michigan Department of State on programs that “promote civic engagement and voter registration in Michigan.” press release Announcement of partnership.
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According to a press release, the Michigan Department of State will “create a unique URL that the SBA will use to encourage online visitors to register to vote,” and the SBA’s Michigan field office will allow state employees to register to vote in person. He said he would allow it to be facilitated. Federal agency business support events. This is part of an overall effort by the Biden administration to expand access to voter registration, initiated by a 2021 executive order.
“The SBA’s MOU with the Michigan Department of State is inadequate, inappropriate and possibly unconstitutional,” Williams told Fox News Digital last month.
The Biden administration’s efforts come as his re-election campaign is eyeing Michigan as a must-win state in the 2024 election. Biden defeated former President Trump there in 2020 by less than 3 percentage points.
A study by the House Small Business Committee found that 22 out of 25 of these outreach events were held in counties with the largest population served by the Democratic National Committee (DNC).
Meanwhile, 11 of Michigan’s 15 counties had the largest voter registration The commission said young voters and black voters had the highest growth rates last year, making them two of the left’s most sought-after voting blocs.
“At a time of such instability for our nation’s small businesses, the only federal agency created to represent them is instead dedicating limited taxpayer resources and resources to advancing partisan political campaigns. It’s unconscionable that they’re taking advantage of it,” said Rep. Dan Muser, chairman of Small Business. The Business Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Taxes and Capital Access told FOX News Digital.
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voting booth (Paul J. Richards/AFP via Getty Images)
“This shows a complete disregard for our nation’s small businesses and gross administrative malpractice. The SBA’s MOU with the Michigan Department of State is a blatant attempt by the Biden administration to illegally use the SBA as an extension of the president’s campaign. “They’re working on that.” Given that the registration drive is targeting Detroit and other urban areas, it’s clear that this will elect Democrats, and this is what’s happening in Michigan. If so, we can assume that similar things are happening in other battleground states. ”
Muser continued, “The subpoenas issued today by the Small Business Commission reveal where exactly this is happening, who authorized it, and which other federal agencies are involved in similar illegal election activity.” We are requesting documents and testimony from the SBA, and we are requesting documents and testimony from the SBA.”This is a scandal and further misconduct by President Biden. be. Those involved in this illegal activity will be held accountable. ”
Jason Snead, executive director of the Honest Elections Project, also told Fox News Digital earlier this year that he applauded the committee’s efforts to investigate this “unprecedented agreement” with Michigan and other states.
“This is the latest example of the Biden administration’s continued efforts to manipulate the levers of the federal government for political gain,” Sneed said.
“By Executive Order 14019, President Biden ordered all federal agencies to work with liberal organizations to mobilize voters. This program raises serious concerns about policy abuse and abuse.” Federal agencies are motivated by political gain, and the public deserves answers. ”
Fox News Digital reached out to the SBA and the White House for comment, but did not receive a response.
Rep. Dan Meuser (R-Pennsylvania) arrives at the U.S. Capitol for the final vote of the week on Friday, November 3, 2023. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc, via Getty Images)
Biden’s 2021 executive order directing federal agencies to register voters to combat racial discrimination has drawn criticism from states across the country, including most recently in Mississippi.
The state’s Republican Secretary of State Michael Watson in March wrote a letter to the Biden Justice Department to halt efforts to register voters in federal prisons over concerns that illegal immigrants and ineligible felons were being registered. sent.
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“This is another example of the Biden administration’s unconstitutional effort to weaponize every federal agency into the Democratic Party’s voter registration and GOTV arm,” Watson told Fox News Digital earlier this year. .
“Federal agencies should not act as a government campaign vehicle,” Williams told Fox News Digital in April. “Americans have a right to know the extent of the SBA’s involvement, and further investigation shows that… That seems to be a concern.”
Fox News Digital’s Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report
