The House Administration Committee has issued subpoenas to top officials from five government agencies to investigate allegations that federal funds were used to promote Democratic voter registration efforts.

The investigation centers around the implementation of Executive Order 14019, signed by President Joe Biden in March 2021, which has allegedly been used to favor Democratic Party voter registration, as the Washington Examiner reports.

Subpoenas Target Five Federal Agencies

Panel chairman Bryan Steil, a Republican from Wisconsin, has spearheaded the committee's efforts to uncover whether executive actions taken by the Biden administration directed federal resources toward partisan voter registration drives. The subpoenas were sent to officials from the Departments of Labor, Justice, Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, and Agriculture.

The subpoenas demand that these officials appear for closed-door depositions in early September. The committee's focus is on understanding how Executive Order 14019 has been implemented by these agencies and whether any actions have violated federal laws, including the Hatch Act or the National Voter Registration Act.

The agencies have been accused of not complying with the committee's investigation over the past several months, prompting the subpoenas. According to Steil, "These Biden Administration agencies failed to produce their strategic plans to implement Executive Order 14019 on multiple occasions. It’s time that these officials explain to the Committee what is in these plans, and how their agencies are implementing their plans."

Allegations of Partisan Use of Federal Resources

Executive Order 14019, signed by President Biden, directs federal agencies to promote voter registration and participation. The order also encourages agencies to partner with nonpartisan third-party organizations and state officials to provide voter registration services at their facilities. However, reports suggest that the administration has been working closely with left-leaning activist groups to implement these directives, raising concerns among Republican lawmakers and conservative watchdog groups.

The term "Bidenbucks" has been coined by some Republicans, likening the executive order's alleged partisan use of federal funds to "Zuckerbucks," a term used to describe private funds donated by Mark Zuckerberg in the 2020 election cycle, which some critics argue were used to influence the election outcome in favor of Democrats.

Kyle Brosnan, chief counsel at the Heritage Foundation's Oversight Project, has voiced concerns over the executive order, stating, "The Biden-Harris Administration has worked exclusively with ideologically aligned NGOs and state officials to use your tax dollars to register left-leaning voters and has obstructed all efforts at gaining transparency about the EO’s implementation."

Legal Challenges and Ongoing Investigations

In addition to the House committee's investigation, nine Republican attorneys general filed a lawsuit in August to halt the executive order's implementation. They argue that the order's directives could lead to improper use of federal resources to benefit the Democratic Party.

The legal challenge and the committee's inquiry both hinge on whether the executive order oversteps federal authority or violates existing laws governing federal employees' involvement in partisan political activities. The Hatch Act, in particular, prohibits federal employees from engaging in political activity while on duty or in a federal workplace.

The committee has also raised questions about the transparency of the executive order's implementation. Documents requested by the Heritage Foundation's Oversight Project have not been fully released, leading to allegations that the administration is withholding information that could reveal partisan intentions behind the order.

Demands for Transparency and Accountability

The subpoenas issued by the committee are a clear signal that Republicans are seeking to hold the Biden administration accountable for its actions related to the executive order. The closed-door depositions in September are expected to shed more light on how the order has been carried out across various federal agencies.

While the committee's actions have garnered significant attention, it remains to be seen how the agencies will respond to the subpoenas and whether they will cooperate fully with the investigation. The outcome of this inquiry could have broader implications for how federal resources are used in future elections.

The subpoenas are just the latest development in the ongoing battle over election integrity and the role of federal resources in promoting voter participation. As the investigation progresses, both sides will likely continue to argue over the legality and ethics of the executive order.

Impact on Future Elections

As the debate continues, the potential impact on future elections remains uncertain. If the investigation reveals significant misuse of federal resources, it could lead to calls for legislative changes or new restrictions on how federal agencies can engage in voter registration activities.

Moreover, the investigation could also impact the political landscape heading into the next election cycle, with Republicans using the issue to rally their base and argue for stricter election laws. Meanwhile, Democrats may defend the executive order as a legitimate effort to promote voter participation and ensure broader access to the ballot.

The House Administration Committee's investigation, along with the ongoing lawsuit, ensures that the controversy surrounding Executive Order 14019 will remain a topic of political debate in the coming months.

The outcome of these efforts will likely play a role in shaping the future of election policy in the United States, particularly concerning the use of federal resources in promoting voter engagement.