House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil (R-WI) has issued subpoenas to five Biden administration officials as part of an investigation into the executive order known as “Bidenbucks.” The order, signed by President Joe Biden, calls for federal agencies to become active participants in voter registration efforts, a directive that has sparked concern among Republicans.
The subpoenas were sent on Wednesday after the targeted agencies failed to comply with earlier demands for documents detailing their plans to implement Executive Order 14019. Steil had initially requested these documents in June and followed up in July with letters to the Departments of Labor, Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Justice, and Agriculture, but the information was not provided.
In a statement, Steil emphasized the need for transparency in the electoral process, saying, “Americans deserve transparency and trust in their elections.” He accused the Biden administration of obstructing the investigation and warned that the use of federal agencies to influence voter turnout could undermine the integrity of the 2024 election.
The term “Bidenbucks” is used by critics to liken Biden’s order to “Zuckerbucks,” the controversial funding from Mark Zuckerberg that was allegedly used to boost Democratic voter turnout in the 2020 election. Steil’s investigation aims to determine whether similar tactics are being employed by the Biden administration to sway future elections.
As the 2024 election approaches, Steil and other Republicans are pushing for greater accountability from the administration. They argue that federal involvement in voter registration should be transparent and free from partisan influence to ensure a fair and trustworthy election process.
The subpoenas represent a significant escalation in the GOP’s efforts to scrutinize the Biden administration’s actions, reflecting a broader concern about the potential misuse of federal power in the electoral process. Steil’s investigation is seen as a key effort to protect the integrity of American elections and ensure that every vote is counted fairly.
