Duval Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Rick Scott has joined Senator Bill Hagerty and their colleagues in sending a letter to President Joe Biden expressing concerns over the lack of transparency regarding the use of taxpayer dollars to implement Executive Order 14019. The order instructed federal agencies to engage in voter mobilization efforts and submit plans to the White House for doing so.

The senators are particularly concerned about the potential violation of the Antideficiency Act, which prohibits agencies from using federal funds without congressional authorization. In their letter, the senators state, "Federal agencies should be focused on their defined missions in a nonpartisan manner, not using taxpayer funds for voter mobilization efforts with potentially partisan impacts."

The senators requested the Biden Administration to provide them with copies of all federal agency "strategic plans" required under the order, as well as a list of agencies that have not yet submitted a plan. They also requested the strategic plan required by the General Services Administration, the recommendations from the Office of Personnel Management, and all procedures established by the Attorney General.

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

The senators emphasized the importance of transparency and expressed their disappointment with the lack of response from the White House. They highlighted that the initial deadline for providing the requested information was May 23, 2023, making the response now 27 weeks overdue.

The senators concluded their letter by requesting a full accounting of all federal funding used to implement Executive Order 14019, including the accounts from which the funding was used.

The Biden Administration has yet to respond to the senators' letter and provide the requested information.

The lack of transparency regarding the use of taxpayer funds for voter mobilization efforts raises concerns about potential violations of the Antideficiency Act. The senators' request for information is crucial in order to determine whether the executive order has led to the improper use of federal resources. Transparency is essential in upholding the integrity of the government and ensuring that taxpayer funds are used appropriately.

The White House's failure to respond to the senators' initial inquiry in May 2023 and their subsequent letter reiterating their concerns further highlights the need for transparency. The senators are committed to holding the Biden Administration accountable and ensuring that federal agencies focus on their defined missions in a nonpartisan manner.

As the senators await a response from the White House, the American people deserve to know how their taxpayer dollars are being used and whether there have been any violations of the Antideficiency Act. The senators' letter serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and oversight in our government.

To learn more, click on this link: https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/2023/11/sen-rick-scott-joins-sen-bill-hagerty-colleagues-calling-out-biden-for-ignoring-demands-for-transparency-on-taxpayer-funded-voter-mobilization-plans