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EXCLUSIVE: The House Small Business Committee is set to request information from Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler regarding data connected to alleged electioneering activities during the Biden administration. The committee claims that the previous administration consistently obstructed inquiries related to these matters.
Chairman Roger Williams, a Republican from Texas, alongside the committee, has been pressing the Small Business Administration for details regarding its cooperation with the state of Michigan under President Joe Biden’s Executive Order to promote voting access. This executive order has sparked significant concern over its implications for electoral integrity.
Williams expressed satisfaction with Loeffler’s commitment to nullifying a Memorandum of Understanding negotiated with the state of Michigan. However, he emphasized the need for a comprehensive review of the SBA’s actions prior to her confirmation as head of the agency.
The committee alleges that the former leadership of the SBA utilized the Memorandum of Understanding to engage in partisan voter registration initiatives in targeted areas like Saginaw and Detroit, rather than providing impartial support for voters statewide.
Lawmakers Criticize SBA for Lack of Transparency
During the escalating conflict between the Biden administration’s SBA and the House Small Business Committee, Williams reported to Fox News Digital his decision to issue a “rare” subpoena for information related to the SBA.
Additionally, the Oversight Project, a government watchdog affiliated with the conservative Heritage Foundation, filed a lawsuit last year aimed at investigating the alleged electioneering incidents linked to the Biden administration.
A year-end report accessed by Fox News Digital labeled Biden’s executive order an improper exercise of executive authority, indicating that the actions of the SBA in following this order posed unnecessary risks to the integrity of U.S. elections.
The report highlighted that the SBA had not adequately responded to concerns surrounding the partisan nature of the Memorandum of Understanding, whether through intentional or negligent actions.
Following this, Williams has requested extensive documents from Loeffler, including travel schedules of Biden administration officials, as well as communications that include interoffice instant messaging among SBA staff in relation to Biden’s executive order.
Moreover, the committee demands the release of unredacted implementation plans regarding the MOU and any evidence indicating whether the SBA engaged in activities related to voter access or registration before the MOU’s public announcement on March 19, 2024.
Further Demands for Accountability
The inquiry extends to the travel documentation of a dozen SBA personnel, including key figures such as Isabel Casillas Guzman, Dilawar Syed, Arthur Plews, and Jennifer Kim, reinforcing the committee’s intention to scrutinize actions taken during the former administration.
Representatives from the Biden-era SBA have continuously denied allegations of stonewalling during their interactions with the committee. In a statement, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson praised the SBA’s collaboration, emphasizing efforts to integrate Michigan’s small business community into democratic processes.
The spokesperson highlighted that the SBA had worked cooperatively with the committee throughout nearly two years, participating in numerous hearings, providing briefings, and producing thousands of pertinent documents, collectively deeming the claims of obstruction as baseless.
Fox News Digital has sought comment from the committee’s ranking member, Representative Nydia Velazquez, a Democrat from New York, regarding the recent letter sent by Williams.
Previously, Velazquez indicated that the committee had prided itself on bipartisan cooperation to support American entrepreneurs until the onset of the current controversy. She criticized the subpoenas issued by the committee, stating that they represented a departure from these principles in favor of a politically motivated inquiry.
In December, House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, lauded the committee’s work and interim report. He asserted that it appropriately revealed not just the misuse of executive authority but also raised serious concerns about actions undertaken by the SBA that could undermine electoral integrity.
The Ongoing Inquiry into SBA Actions
The investigation reflects ongoing scrutiny of the SBA’s interactions with partisan initiatives during the Biden administration. As the committee pushes for transparency, their demands underscore the need for accountability in government agencies.
This inquiry not only highlights concerns regarding the integrity of the electoral process but also suggests larger implications for how federal resources may be utilized in supporting specific political agendas. As the committee continues its investigation, it remains to be seen how the SBA responds and what further findings may come to light.
With the stakes high and public interest piqued, this unfolding story will likely continue to develop, reflecting the broader themes of governmental accountability and electoral integrity in American democracy.
