A group of Republican lawmakers is demanding an investigation into potential misuse of federal funds for pro-Democratic Party electioneering, alleging that the Small Business Administration (SBA) has engaged in "weaponizing" resources to "aid and abet" President Biden's reelection campaign.
The entire Michigan House GOP delegation, led by Rep. Roger Williams (R-Texas), has dispatched a letter to Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson requesting a thorough probe into the potential use of federal taxpayer dollars for pro-Democratic Party voter registration efforts. The lawmakers suspect that the SBA has been unlawfully coordinating with Benson's department to strategically register voters in key demographic areas targeted by the Democratic National Committee (DNC).
The concerns stem from a May subpoena issued by Williams, who chairs the House Small Business Committee, to the SBA. The subpoena sought records related to actions outlined in a memorandum forged between the SBA and Benson's department. The memo, citing a 2021 Biden executive order on "promoting access to voting," provided various directives regarding voter registration initiatives.
GOP Lawmakers Demand Probe into Alleged Biden Administration Electioneering
The lawmakers contend that the SBA's voter registration outreach events have disproportionately taken place in "counties with the highest populations of demographics targeted by the Democratic National Committee." They cite statistics indicating that 39 of 52 scheduled small business outreach events in Michigan occurred in such counties.
Williams and his co-signers, including Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), assert that the strategic placement of these events raises questions about the impartiality of the SBA's efforts. "The Biden administration seems to not care about upholding our democracy," McClain said. "Instead, they're using the taxpayer-funded SBA to coordinate voter registration with Michigan's Secretary of State."
GOP Lawmakers Demand Probe into Alleged Biden Administration Electioneering
Williams alleges that evidence suggests the SBA has the ability to indirectly campaign for Biden in Michigan, a must-win state in the upcoming election. "This is a ridiculous — and likely illegal — use of taxpayer resources," Williams said. "We will not stop until the SBA is completely and totally forthcoming."
The lawmakers' concerns have been fueled by a covertly recorded video released by self-described "guerrilla journalist" James O'Keefe, which appears to show an SBA official admitting that Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman's travel schedule is sometimes intentionally targeted to "indirectly campaign" for Biden.
GOP Lawmakers Demand Probe into Alleged Biden Administration Electioneering
In the video, a Guzman visit to Montana, home state of vulnerable Democratic Senator Jon Tester, is cited as an example. The SBA official reportedly states that Tester's seat is crucial for maintaining Democratic control of the Senate.
The letter to Benson demands the production of all documents and communications between her department, SBA officials, and external contractors pertaining to Michigan voter registration efforts. It also seeks expense documentation for events related to the memo, the sources of such payments, and the name of the state official designated as Benson's liaison with the SBA.
GOP Lawmakers Demand Probe into Alleged Biden Administration Electioneering
"If either of the two senators were invited but a Republican member of Congress was not, please detail the reasoning behind the lack of invitation," Williams wrote.
In response to past criticisms, Angela Benander, a spokeswoman for the Michigan Department of State, stated that the agency welcomes its role in facilitating voter participation. "Allegations that this program is being used to drive large amounts of voter activity in a partisan manner are patently false," Benander said.
GOP Lawmakers Demand Probe into Alleged Biden Administration Electioneering
Critics, however, remain skeptical, arguing that the Biden administration's attention to a key swing state through the SBA raises suspicions. Guzman has previously stated that the memo aims to promote civic engagement and fulfill the administration's commitment to democracy.
The SBA has declined to comment on the veracity of O'Keefe's video.
