House Republicans are raising serious concerns about the Biden administration’s actions related to voter registration, as revealed in documents reported by the Washington Examiner. The focus of their investigation centers on a controversial executive order issued by President Joe Biden in 2021, which mandated federal agencies to develop voter registration plans with “approved” outside groups. This move has sparked fears among GOP lawmakers that the order could be used to unlawfully boost Democratic turnout in the upcoming 2024 election.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer criticized President Biden’s executive order as an overreach of executive authority, noting that the Constitution grants states the power to regulate their own elections. This sentiment was echoed by House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik, who described the coordination between the Biden administration and progressive activists as “illegal” and potentially aimed at interfering with elections.
The order, known colloquially as “Bidenbucks,” directs federal agencies to collaborate with third-party organizations and state officials to provide voter registration services, a move seen by conservative legal experts as unconstitutional. Concerns have been raised about violations of federal rules such as the Antideficiency Act and the Hatch Act, which prohibit excessive spending by federal agencies and restrict political activities by government employees, respectively.
Documents obtained from the 2021 meeting between the White House and left-wing activists reveal discussions on controversial topics like registering illegal immigrants and integrating voter registration into public housing requirements. This has led conservative groups like the Heritage Foundation’s Oversight Project and the Foundation for Government Accountability to denounce the executive order as a partisan effort to influence election outcomes using federal resources.
Republican lawmakers like Rep. Darrell Issa and Rep. Tim Burchett have condemned the Biden administration’s collaboration with progressive groups, labeling it as political and improper. The House Small Business Committee has also launched an investigation into the Small Business Administration’s involvement in voter registration efforts, with concerns raised about potential electioneering and misuse of taxpayer dollars.
The ongoing scrutiny from House Republicans reflects broader conservative concerns about election integrity and government overreach. The investigation aims to ensure that elections remain free and fair, devoid of any undue influence or partisan interference orchestrated through federal agencies.
