House committee summons 15 executive agencies under the Biden administration over constitutional issues

WASHINGTON, DC: A House committee has subpoenaed 15 executive agencies under the Biden administration over constitutional issues pertaining to the implementation of one of Biden's executive orders by the departments. 

In March 2021, Biden signed Promoting Access to Voting which states that "executive departments and agencies should partner with State, local, Tribal, and territorial election officials to protect and promote the exercise of the right to vote, eliminate discrimination and other barriers to voting, and expand access to voter registration and accurate election information."

The plan has already come under scrutiny from Senate Republicans

Senate Republicans have already expressed concern about the plan, labeling it as a federal "voter mobilization" initiative with "potentially partisan impacts."

The chairman of the Committee on House Administration, Rep Bryan Steil, R-Wis, is subpoenaing the 15 cabinet secretaries of Biden for their comprehensive plans on implementing the order, merely five months before the election in November. 

What did Bryan Steil say?

"The Committee has concerns about the implementation of EO 14019, particularly regarding its compatibility with provisions of the National Voter Registration Act (NRA) of 1993," Steil told the agencies in a subpoena letter, according to Fox News.

"Congress delegates to federal agencies specific functions and missions, which by law they are required to follow. Congress's delegation of authority to HUD does not include using funds and resources to provide Americans with voter registration materials," he said.

"Moreover, EO 14019 requires every federal agency to submit a strategic plan outlining how the agency can promote voter registration and voter participation," he continued.  

"Over the last few months, some agencies have taken actions that were likely outlined in their strategic plans. Examples include the Department of Education's new federal work-study requirements, and the Small Business Administration's entrance into a voter registration agreement with Michigan," Steil explained, adding "Both of those actions and the actions of other agencies raise substantial questions and concerns, some of which may be answered by access to the strategic plans drafted by the agencies." 

Bryan Steil said that the committee is considering legislation 

Steil also mentioned that the committee is deliberating legislation that would nullify Executive Order 14019 and mandate that the agencies submit their strategic plans to Congress.

"As the Committee continues to investigate this issue, the strategic plans and other documents requested will inform the Committee on what additional legislation, if any, needs to be considered to clarify that the NRA does not enable executive branch agencies to focus on voter registration," he wrote. 

What is included in the subpoena list?

Included in the subpoena list are the Department of Commerce, Homeland Security, Department of Defense, Justice Department, Department of Education, Department of Energy, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Department of Interior, Department of Labor, Office of Management and Budget, Department of State, Department of Transportation, Treasury Department and the Department of Agriculture. 

A spokesperson for OMB told the outlet Thursday, June 13, the agency has not been served with a subpoena.

Bryan Steil called the executive order a 'scheme'

In a statement to Fox News, Steil called the executive order a "scheme" to carry out "partisan activities" for which Congress did not appropriate funds.

"Elections are partisan, but our election administration should never be partisan. Allowing federal employees from the Biden administration to flood election administration sites threatens election integrity and reduces Americans’ confidence," Steil said. 

He added, "This executive order is another attempt by the Biden administration to tilt the scales ahead of 2024. I will continue working to provide transparency and accountability on this administration’s latest scheme as Congress did not appropriate taxpayer funds for partisan activities."

Top Republican senators pushed the Biden administration for answers last year

Leading Republican senators pressed the Biden administration in November for details regarding its "voter mobilization" initiatives, claiming the White House had been blocking their progress for months.

Senator Bill Hagerty, a Republican from Tennessee, and twenty-three other senators, along with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky, chastised President Biden's administration for their "failure to respond" to their questions concerning the executive order on promoting access to voting.

"This policy directive merits congressional oversight both as a general matter and under the Antideficiency Act," the lawmakers wrote, reiterating their request for how federal agencies planned to carry out the executive order, including a request for copies of their plans submitted to the White House. 

A lawsuit against the executive order was filed in April, claiming that it singled out specific demographics to help the president's political party and chances of reelection.

Internet reacts as House committee subpoenaed 15 executive agencies under the Biden administration 

Netizens reacted after House committee subpoenaed 15 executive agencies under the Biden administration over constitutional issues. One X user tweeted, "Hardly. Biden is as honest as they come, and he has 50 years of great reputation to show it." Another added, "It's an attempt to keep voting available to ALL registered voters. It is a right. The Republicans do all they can to gerrymander and stop those who will not vote for them from voting." 

"Get to work Republicans! We have to expose how they're going to steal another election. If it happens again, it's civil war," wrote one user while another said, "Biden will cheat to win. Not this time." "Now you know why he allowed 10 million illegals to enter. He needs their votes," opined one. 

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