House Panel Questions SBA Over Alleged Biden-Era Electioneering

EXCLUSIVE: The House Small Business Committee has taken aim at alleged electioneering under the Biden administration. They are requesting data from Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler regarding actions tied to the agency's cooperation with Michigan during the Biden era, claiming the previous administration was less than forthcoming throughout their investigation.

Chairman Roger Williams, R-Texas, has been leading the charge, spotlighting an agreement between the SBA and Michigan linked to Executive Order 14019, aimed at promoting voter access. While Loeffler has committed to rescinding the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) underpinning this cooperation, the committee is now demanding a deeper dive into the SBA's activities before Loeffler's confirmation.

The allegations suggest that the SBA used the MOU to focus voter registration efforts in specific precincts like Detroit and Saginaw—raising concerns about partisan bias—rather than providing equal assistance across the board.

In response to the pushback, Williams issued a rare subpoena seeking detailed travel schedules, internal communications, and unredacted implementation plans tied to the MOU. The committee is also asking for evidence of any voter registration-related activities conducted before the MOU's announcement in March 2024.

The conservative watchdog Oversight Project, affiliated with the Heritage Foundation, has added weight to the controversy by filing a separate lawsuit last year. A report obtained by Fox News Digital supports the committee's claims, labeling Biden's executive order as an "improper use of executive authority" and warning of risks to the integrity of U.S. elections.

Despite these criticisms, representatives from the Biden-era SBA have denied accusations of "stonewalling," asserting that the agency has cooperated fully with the committee's inquiries. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson defended the MOU, calling it a groundbreaking effort to empower small businesses to engage more actively in democracy.

Not everyone is on board with the committee's approach. Ranking member Rep. Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y., criticized the investigation as partisan, lamenting the loss of the committee's reputation for bipartisan collaboration in assisting American entrepreneurs.

Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., praised the committee's findings, emphasizing the importance of addressing executive overreach and protecting election integrity. With subpoenas in play and tensions escalating, it seems this battle over electioneering is far from over.