A House committee is set to confront a top Biden administration official during a hearing this week after the agency allegedly failed to comply with a subpoena related to its electioneering activities in swing-state Michigan. The Small Business Administration (SBA) is under scrutiny for reportedly not providing a 'strategic plan' for voter registration work in Michigan, as required by a Biden executive order.
The committee claims that despite the SBA's denial of the document's existence, a response to a Freedom of Information Act Request suggested otherwise. The Republican-led committee has been investigating the agency's activities in Michigan amid concerns of partisan voter registration efforts.
According to the committee, the strategic plan is crucial for determining the legality of an agreement between the SBA and the Michigan Department of State, with allegations of potential misuse of taxpayer funds and constitutional concerns.
The SBA's handling of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Michigan has raised eyebrows, with accusations of partisan resource allocation during an election year. The agency's credibility has been questioned, especially after court filings revealed the existence of a draft document despite previous denials.
Lawmakers have expressed the need for transparency and accountability, emphasizing the importance of understanding how taxpayer dollars are being utilized. The SBA maintains that it has cooperated with congressional inquiries and is working to fulfill the subpoena requirements.
As the controversy unfolds, the committee continues to press for answers and clarity on the SBA's actions in Michigan. The upcoming hearing is expected to shed light on the agency's compliance with the subpoena and its adherence to the executive order on promoting access to voting.
