Republican Lawmaker Calls for Accountability from New SBA Chief on Electioneering and COVID Relief Fraud

EXCLUSIVE: The leading Republican on the House Committee on Small Business is urging the newly appointed head of the Small Business Administration to prioritize transparency and action regarding accusations of taxpayer-funded electioneering and the administration’s handling of COVID relief funds.

Representative Roger Williams, a Texas Republican, is pressing for answers on these pressing issues which he claims were inadequately addressed by the Biden administration. He spoke exclusively to Fox News Digital, expressing his concerns over the current trajectory of the SBA which, according to him, has strayed from its core mission of supporting America’s small businesses.

Concerns Over Electioneering and Transparency

Williams pointed out that his committee has raised alarms about how the Biden administration allegedly redirected SBA resources away from aiding small businesses. He recalls instances where the committee faced obstruction in its requests for data, particularly regarding a 2021 executive order signed by President Biden that aimed to enhance voter access.

Under this order, the SBA formed a memorandum of understanding with election officials in Michigan, a move that triggered significant concern among Republican lawmakers. In a letter addressed to Kelly Loeffler, the new SBA Administrator, the committee hopes to shed light on the actions taken by Biden’s team and emphasizes the need for clarity moving forward.

Reevaluating Biden’s Policies

The letter has raised critical issues surrounding the lack of transparency from the Biden-Harris SBA. Williams has indicated that he and his colleagues are looking forward to collaborating with Loeffler to assess the potential impacts of these policies on the upcoming 2024 elections.

In addition to investigating electioneering claims, the committee’s correspondence will also spotlight recent modifications made to SBA rules during the Biden administration that could jeopardize the small-business lending portfolio.

Investigating COVID Relief Fund Misallocation

Amid allegations that the previous SBA leadership failed to act on recovering misallocated COVID relief funds, Williams has invoked Trump’s DOGE initiatives to propose a rigorous investigation into the alleged fraud, which he perceives as vital. The committee estimates that around $200 billion may have been disbursed to fraudulent recipients through various COVID-19 lending programs.

The committee’s letter emphasizes the importance of understanding the rationale behind the Biden SBA’s decision to halt collections on disaster loans and Paycheck Protection Program loans under $100,000. This halt, they argue, could undermine law enforcement’s efforts to track and prosecute fraud effectively.

Previous Investigations and Future Directions

In a previous attempt to investigate the SBA’s actions, Williams had issued subpoenas to obtain staff travel calendars, aiming to clarify whether taxpayer money might have been used improperly to increase voter registration in Democratic-leaning areas like Michigan.

Democratic members of the committee have criticized these actions, asserting that they represent a partisan agenda rather than a genuine pursuit of truth. Ranking Member Nydia Velazquez, a Democrat from New York, articulated concerns about the committee’s direction, suggesting it deviates from bipartisan oversight principles.

A Call for Collaboration

Despite the challenges and criticisms, Williams remains committed to ensuring oversight over the SBA’s actions during both the Biden and Trump administrations. He emphasizes a desire for collaboration with Loeffler to restore accountability and trust within the SBA.

Williams stated, “The Committee looks forward to working with Administrator Loeffler and the Trump Administration to return credibility and transparency to the SBA.” Through these efforts, he aims to ensure that small businesses are represented and supported at every governmental level.

Ensuring a Bright Future for Small Businesses

In closing, Williams expressed his belief that empowering small businesses is essential to fostering economic growth in America. He remarked on the necessity of restoring what he deems the Golden Age of America for Main Street businesses, asserting that a transparent and accountable SBA is crucial to realizing that vision.

As the landscape of small business support in America continues to evolve, all eyes will be on the new SBA chief and the committee’s actions to ensure that taxpayers are not funding political agendas but rather, supporting the backbone of the American economy—its small businesses.