Biden’s SBA Accused of Stonewalling Oversight on Allegations of Electioneering

Lawmakers Accuse Biden Administration Agency of Stonewalling Oversight Efforts

Top Republicans on the House and Senate Small Business committees, Sen. Joni Ernst and Rep. Roger Williams, have accused the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) of obstructing congressional oversight regarding allegations of electioneering and misuse of taxpayer funds. In a joint statement, the lawmakers expressed disappointment in the SBA’s refusal to comply with document requests and committee investigations. They emphasized the importance of transparency and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are not used for politically motivated activities.

The investigation was prompted by an undercover recording of Tyler Robinson, a special adviser to SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, suggesting that Guzman had been using her official travel to indirectly campaign for President Joe Biden. Sen. Ernst sent a letter to Guzman, citing Robinson’s remarks and calling for further investigation into the alleged abuse of agency resources.

One specific concern is a voter registration agreement between the SBA and the Michigan Department of State. The agreement allows Michigan officials to use the SBA’s field office for in-person voter registration at small business outreach events. Lawmakers fear that this agreement may be biased towards benefiting Democrats over Republicans.

In response to the SBA’s lack of cooperation, Rep. Williams issued a subpoena for Tyler Robinson to testify in relation to the oversight activities. Despite these efforts, the SBA has not responded to the lawmakers’ concerns, leading them to accuse the agency of stonewalling.

The SBA’s actions are being scrutinized in light of President Biden’s March 2021 Executive Order on Promoting Access to Voting. The order instructs federal agencies to evaluate ways to promote voter registration and participation. While various government agencies are carrying out campaigns to sign up new voters, some experts believe that these efforts may favor Democrats over Republicans.

A report by progressive groups assesses how well federal agencies are implementing the executive order and provides recommendations for improvement. The report suggests that agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Bureau of Prisons should incorporate voter registration into their respective applications and services.

The executive order’s voter registration push is supported by organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union, teachers unions, public employee unions, and advocacy groups like the Southern Poverty Law Center and Planned Parenthood.

In conclusion, the lawmakers’ accusations against the SBA highlight concerns about electioneering and the misuse of taxpayer funds. The investigation seeks to ensure transparency and prevent agencies from engaging in political activities that may favor one party over another. The broader context of the executive order on promoting voter registration raises questions about potential biases and the targeting of specific voter demographics.