House small business panel releases year-end report on ‘partisan’ Biden agency electioneering allegations

The House Small Business Committee has released its year-end interim report, revealing the alleged “weaponizing [of] federal resources” for political purposes within the Small Business Administration (SBA). The report, spearheaded by Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas, sheds light on the SBA’s involvement in partisan voter registration outreach in Michigan, a key swing state.

The controversy stems from an official Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the SBA and the Michigan Department of State, in accordance with President Biden’s executive order “14019: Promoting Access to Voting.” However, the committee found that the SBA’s actions went beyond aiding voters across the board and veered into partisan political activities.

The committee’s 47-page report accuses the SBA of exceeding the requirements of state and federal laws, including the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, the Anti-Deficiency Act, and the Hatch Act, which prohibits government officials from engaging in political activities in their official capacity. The report also alleges that the SBA “strayed from its core mission” by engaging in voter registration activities.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., praised the committee’s work, stating that the SBA’s actions pose significant concerns about the integrity of U.S. elections. Johnson emphasized the need for greater transparency and accountability within the agency and expressed a desire to work with President-elect Trump to end such abuses.

The report includes email chains between the White House, SBA, and outside advocacy organizations, revealing relationships between senior SBA employees and left-leaning organizations. The committee found that the SBA’s MOU with Michigan blurred the line between personal political beliefs and official duties.

In response to the report, Williams reiterated the SBA’s mission to aid and protect small business concerns, emphasizing that the agency’s actions in Michigan were not aligned with this mission. The SBA has denied the allegations made by Congress’ investigation, stating that they have cooperated with the committee’s inquiry and provided thousands of pages of documents responsive to their requests.

The controversy surrounding the SBA’s involvement in partisan voter registration activities highlights the need for oversight and accountability in government agencies. The committee’s report serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the integrity of U.S. elections and ensuring that federal resources are not weaponized for political purposes.