LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – A Republican-led House committee has raised concerns over the Biden administration’s initiative to register voters in Michigan, a crucial swing state, using resources from the Small Business Administration (SBA).

In a press release from Michigan Dept. of State on March 20th, they tout a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the SBA and Michigan’s Dept. of State as an initiative to promote civic engagement and voter registration in the state.

Michigan SOS applauds collaboration with SBA.

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Michigan Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson says about the program, “Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy. Like voting, they play a direct role in improving people’s lives. I’m proud we are working with the Small Business Administration for this first-in-the-nation effort connecting Michigan’s small business community with the tools and information they need to play an even greater active role in our democracy.”

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman says about the initiative, “Protecting and strengthening our democracy is critical to our economic success and a core goal of the Biden-Harris Administration. Through this memorandum of understanding, the SBA will help connect Michiganders to vital voter registration information from the State of Michigan so that more small business owners can exercise their right to vote.”

Guzman adds, “Small businesses are busy working on and in their businesses, and by meeting them where they are – on our website and at our small business outreach events – we can help facilitate voter registration and civic engagement, so their voices are heard.”

Lawmakers looking into collaboration of voter registration activities.

However, in a letter addressed to the Biden administration last week, the Committee on Small Business expressed concerns regarding the constitutional implications of the SBA’s involvement in voter registration activities.

The committee highlighted the MOU that was announced on March 19, 2024 and continues through January 1, 2036 and has questioned the legality of the SBA’s engagement in activities beyond its primary mission and suggested that such actions could constitute federal interference in electoral processes.

Improper, inappropriate and perhaps unconstitutional says congressman.

Congressman Roger Williams (R-TX), Chairman of the House Committee on Small Business said in a statement, “The SBA’s MOU with the Michigan Department of State is improper, inappropriate, and perhaps, unconstitutional. The SBA was created for one reason: to assist our nation’s small businesses. It has no reason whatsoever to involve itself in political and potentially electioneering activities. Moreover, the fact the SBA would divert resources away from Main Street so it can focus on voter registration in a battleground state is an affront to our job creators especially for all they do for our communities and economy. Americans have a right to know what exactly is going on here, and this Committee plans on getting answers.”