GOP Demands Answers from Biden Officials on Controversial Election Order

House Republicans have subpoenaed key Biden administration officials to testify on an executive order aimed at boosting voter mobilization, but the story doesn’t end there.

At a Glance

Rep. Bryan Steil has issued subpoenas to five Biden administration agency officials for sworn depositions.
The executive order in question aims to enhance voter registration and participation, causing concern among Senate Republicans about potential partisan impacts.
The House Administration Committee’s ongoing investigation raises questions about the executive order’s compliance with federal laws.
Steil argues that the Biden administration has not cooperated with a lawfully issued congressional subpoena.

GOP Subpoenas Biden Officials Over Voter Mobilization Executive Order

House Republican Rep. Bryan Steil has issued subpoenas to five Biden administration officials for sworn depositions. Those targeted are from the Department of Labor, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Justice, and Department of Agriculture. Steil, chairman of the Committee on House Administration, is demanding transparency following previous non-compliance with congressional subpoenas related to an executive order on Promoting Access to Voting.

Rep. Steil’s investigative efforts are driven by concerns that the executive order, signed in March 2021, may overreach federal jurisdiction by using federal resources to support voter registration initiatives. The GOP contends such actions could infringe upon state-managed electoral processes. The executive order initially sought to promote voter registration and participation by partnering with state and local election officials.

Senate Republicans have criticized the executive order, describing it as a potential partisan “voter mobilization” effort. They argue that the Biden administration’s actions may violate federal spending laws and undermine state authority in conducting elections. Steil has previously subpoenaed Biden’s 15 cabinet secretaries requesting detailed plans concerning this executive order.

Biden’s Voting Access Executive Order is the administration’s latest scheme to tilt the scales ahead of 2024.

I’ve subpoenaed the Biden admin for documents related to EO 14019 as Congress did NOT appropriate taxpayer funds for partisan activities.https://t.co/LT2BiOYtSf

— Bryan Steil (@RepBryanSteil) June 13, 2024

Investigating Compliance and Legal Boundaries

Steil emphasizes that Congress has specific legal provisions in place that should restrict federal agency involvement in providing voter registration materials. He asserts that the Biden administration’s non-cooperation with congressional subpoenas demands a thorough investigation to ensure no overreaches occur.

“Americans deserve transparency and trust in their elections. However, the Biden Administration has refused to comply with a lawfully issued congressional subpoena and cooperate with our investigation into their plan to use federal agencies to ‘get out the vote,'” Steil said.

Additionally, the constitutional emphasis on state primacy in administering elections underpins the GOP’s scrutiny of the executive order. Steil argues that federal agencies were never delegated the authority by Congress to engage in voter registration and mobilization efforts. He believes these functions should reside strictly within state plans tailored to uphold local electoral integrity.

🚨BREAKING: Chairman @RepBryanSteil subpoenas 15 Biden Administration cabinet members requesting documents related to ‘Bidenbucks.’https://t.co/3ZSgtp3bok

— House Admin. Committee GOP (@HouseAdmin) June 13, 2024

Clash Over Federal and State Roles

President Biden’s executive order aimed to eliminate barriers to voting and expand access to voter registration, especially for marginalized communities. However, Republicans see this directive as potentially skewing electoral fairness by involving federal oversight where state laws typically prevail. They view the executive’s initiative as an attempt to centralize electoral control and dilute the constitutional mandates protecting states’ management of elections.

“Using the nation’s multi-billion-dollar nutrition program to implement the Biden Administration’s voter registration scheme is not only a cause for concern, but one that necessitates further scrutiny,” GOP representatives wrote.

The House Administration Committee continues to press for explanations and documents detailing how the executive order aligns or conflicts with established federal law, including the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. This rigorous examination underscores the GOP’s commitment to safeguarding electoral integrity from federal overreach.