House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil has issued subpoenas to 15 Biden cabinet officials, demanding documents related to President Biden’s executive order known as “Bidenbucks.” This order aims to turn federal agencies into voter registration centers. Steil’s initial request on May 15 went unanswered, leading to the subpoenas.
Steil emphasized the need for impartiality in election administration, stating, “Elections are partisan, but our election administration should never be partisan.” He argued that federal employees’ involvement in election sites could compromise election integrity and public trust.
Critics of Executive Order 14019 have labeled it “Bidenbucks,” drawing parallels to the controversial “Zuckerbucks” incident in 2020, where $400 million from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg was used to boost Democratic voter turnout. Steil contends that Biden’s order is another attempt to influence the upcoming 2024 elections in favor of Democrats.
The executive order instructs agency heads to identify ways to promote voter registration and participation, including collaborating with nonpartisan third-party organizations and state officials. Steil criticized the order, stating, “This Executive Order is another attempt by the Biden Administration to tilt the scales ahead of 2024.”
Steil stressed his commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability within the administration, noting that Congress did not authorize taxpayer funds for partisan purposes. By issuing these subpoenas, Steil aims to uncover details about the administration’s initiatives and maintain a fair election process.
This development underscores ongoing tensions surrounding the administration’s involvement in election administration. Steil’s subpoenas seek to clarify the extent of the executive order’s impact and uphold the principles of a nonpartisan electoral system. As the investigation progresses, responses from the Biden administration will be critical in determining the future of election administration policies.