House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil (R-WI) has subpoenaed five officials from the Biden administration as part of an investigation into concerns over President Joe Biden’s executive order, dubbed “Bidenbucks.” The order directs federal agencies to encourage voter registration, which some Republicans fear could be used to influence elections.
The subpoenas, issued on Wednesday, demand sworn depositions from the officials after their agencies failed to provide documents requested in June regarding the implementation of Executive Order 14019. Steil followed up in July with letters to the Departments of Labor, Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Justice, and Agriculture, asking for the same information.
In a statement, Steil stressed the importance of election integrity, saying, “Americans deserve transparency and trust in their elections.” He criticized the administration for not complying with congressional subpoenas, which he believes are necessary to ensure that federal agencies are not being misused to boost voter turnout for Democrats.
“Bidenbucks” is a term coined by critics to compare Biden’s executive order to the “Zuckerbucks” scandal, where Mark Zuckerberg was accused of funneling money through nonprofits to influence the 2020 election. Steil’s investigation is focused on uncovering whether similar tactics are being employed by the current administration.
As the 2024 election nears, Steil and other House Republicans are pushing for greater transparency from the Biden administration. They argue that federal involvement in voter registration should be closely monitored to prevent any potential bias or manipulation.
The subpoenas are part of a broader effort to ensure that the electoral process is fair and that the American people can trust in the results of the upcoming election. Steil’s actions reflect a growing concern among conservatives about the role of federal agencies in the voting process.
