The agency is targeted by subpoenas.
The House Committee on Small Business issued a subpoena to the Small Business Administration on Tuesday, citing concerns over what they view as a lack of transparency regarding alleged efforts by the Biden administration to allocate resources towards registering voters in a key swing state, potentially violating constitutional principles.
Arthur Plews, Chief of Staff at the SBA, and his special adviser, Tyler Robinson, were subpoenaed after reportedly failing to attend scheduled interviews with the committee and neglecting to provide documents related to a program that allegedly redirects resources away from aiding Main Street businesses to instead focus on registering Democratic voters in Michigan, a critical swing state.
This marks the first instance in history where the committee has subpoenaed the agency. In March, the SBA, under President Biden, announced a memorandum of understanding with the Michigan Department of State to encourage civic engagement and voter registration in Michigan, a partnership touted as a pioneering collaboration set to last until January 1, 2036.
SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman praised the partnership as a means to provide essential voter registration information to Michiganders, aiming to empower more small business owners to exercise their right to vote. The collaboration between the SBA and Michigan stemmed from a 2021 executive order from President Biden directing federal agencies to facilitate access to voting. This move raised concerns among some about the administration’s potential use of government agencies to influence voter registration in a pivotal swing state, crucial for the upcoming elections.
The House Committee asserts that Plews and Robinson have failed to address these concerns voluntarily, prompting the issuance of subpoenas on Tuesday. Committee Chair Roger Williams expressed disappointment, stating that while the committee initially sought cooperation without resorting to subpoenas, it became necessary to ensure compliance with oversight responsibilities. Williams emphasized the importance of transparency regarding the SBA’s involvement in election-related activities and its deviation from its primary mission of supporting Main Street businesses.
The committee’s investigation focuses on the collaboration between the SBA and the Michigan Department of State to promote civic engagement and voter registration in Michigan, aiming to provide clarity on the agency’s actions and their implications for the American electorate.
