Republican senators, led by Sen. Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, are pressing the Biden administration for answers regarding its “voter mobilization” efforts. The lawmakers claim that they have been stonewalled for over six months and are seeking clarification on Executive Order 14019, which aims to promote access to voting. In a letter addressed to President Biden and co-signed by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, the senators expressed their disappointment with the administration’s failure to respond to their inquiries.
The letter emphasizes the need for congressional oversight on the policy directive and raises concerns about the potential misuse of federal resources. The lawmakers argue that federal agencies should prioritize their defined missions in a nonpartisan manner rather than engaging in voter mobilization efforts with potentially partisan impacts. They also question the use of appropriated agency funds for voter-related activities without explicit approval from Congress.
Executive Order 14019, issued on March 7, 2021, highlights the obstacles that many Americans, particularly people of color, face when exercising their right to vote. The order cites difficulties with voter registration, lack of election information, and barriers to access at polling places as significant challenges. President Biden claims that these obstacles disproportionately affect communities of color, leading to long lines at the polls and limited opportunities to vote by mail.
The senators argue that using appropriated funds for purposes not authorized by Congress would violate the Antideficiency Act, which prohibits agencies from expending or obligating funds in a manner not authorized by law. They stress the importance of transparency and express concern over the White House’s failure to disclose their plans to implement the executive order despite repeated requests from Congress.
In their letter, the senators requested copies of all federal agency strategic plans, a list of agencies that have not yet submitted their plans, and a full accounting of the federal funding used to date for implementing the executive order. They also sought information on the procedures established by Attorney General Merrick Garland, who is tasked with working with various agencies to provide educational materials on voter registration and facilitate voter registration for eligible individuals.
The senators’ demand for answers underscores their commitment to ensuring accountability and transparency in the government’s voter mobilization efforts. They argue that it is crucial to review agency plans to determine if the executive order has led to the improper use of federal resources. The Biden administration’s response to these inquiries will shed light on its approach to promoting access to voting and addressing the concerns raised by Republican lawmakers.
