Milwaukee City Wire

On November 28, 2023, U.S. Senator Ron Johnson from Wisconsin, along with 21 of his Senate GOP colleagues, sent a letter to President Biden expressing concerns over the lack of transparency regarding Biden's Executive Order 14019. This order instructs federal agencies to engage in voter mobilization and submit plans to the White House for doing so. The senators are questioning whether this order violates federal law, which prohibits agencies from spending federal funds without congressional authorization.

The senators wrote, "We are concerned by your failure to respond to our previous inquiry on May 10, 2023, regarding Executive Order 14019 on 'Promoting Access to Voting.' This policy directive merits congressional oversight both as a general matter and under the Antideficiency Act. Accordingly, we write to reiterate our request for information regarding the implementation of this executive order, including copies of the plans submitted to the White House."

The senators believe that federal agencies should focus on their defined missions in a nonpartisan manner, rather than using taxpayer funds for potentially partisan voter mobilization efforts. They stated, "In other words, it's not the job of the federal government to drive voter turnout."

In order to determine how taxpayer dollars are being used for voter mobilization and electioneering activities by the Biden Administration, the senators are requesting basic information from the administration. They are asking for copies of all federal agency "strategic plans" required under the Order, a list of agencies that have not yet submitted a strategic plan, the strategic plan required by the General Services Administration, the recommendations provided by the Office of Personnel Management, and all procedures established by the Attorney General under the Order.

This letter was also signed by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and Senators Deb Fischer, Cynthia Lummis, Ted Budd, Shelley Moore Capito, Ted Cruz, Katie Britt, Roger Wicker, Mike Lee, Mike Braun, Rick Scott, J.D. Vance, James Lankford, Bill Cassidy, Roger Marshall, Tom Cotton, Kevin Cramer, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Jim Risch, Steve Daines, and Mike Crapo.

For more information, you can read about the senators' letter to the president on FOX News. The full text of the letter can be found here.

This demand for transparency showcases the senators' concerns about the potential violation of federal law and the proper use of taxpayer funds. It highlights the need for congressional oversight and the senators' commitment to ensuring that federal agencies remain focused on their defined missions in a nonpartisan manner.

To find out more, go to this link: https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/11/sen-johnson-joins-colleagues-in-demanding-transparency-related-to-taxpayer-funded-voter-mobilization-plans