FGA filed a lawsuit against the Department of Justice after several federal agencies failed to respond to FOIA requests pertaining to President Biden’s Executive Order 14019 “Promoting Access to Voting”.
NAPLES, Fla., April 20, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Today, the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) filed a lawsuit against the Department of Justice (DOJ) after several federal executive agencies failed to respond to FGA’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to obtain documents pertaining to President Biden’s Executive Order (EO) 14019, titled “Promoting Access to Voting.”
The EO requires the head of every federal executive agency to provide a strategic plan to the President’s Domestic Policy Advisor detailing how the agency will help increase voter registration and voter participation.
FGA originally requested these documents on July 30, 2021. Now, 240 days later, not a single document has been provided as required under the FOIA law. Today, FGA is suing DOJ in Case 2:22-cv-00252 in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida Fort Myers Division, asking a federal court to step in and compel the agency to comply with the law. FGA is not yet filing lawsuits against other federal agencies who have also failed to respond to FGA’s FOIA request(s) in the hope that a federal ruling against DOJ will encourage other agencies to provide the requested documents.
In January, at least 36 members of Congress formally requested some of the same documents FGA requested in a letter addressed to Biden administration officials. Nine congressional leaders co-signed another letter raising concerns about the lack of constitutional and statutory authority of EO 14019 and again requesting documents pertaining to the enforcement EO 14019.
“FOIA requests are meant to provide Americans with transparency and reassurance that governing agencies using taxpayer dollars are acting thoughtfully, lawfully, and in the best interest of the American people,” said Stewart Whitson, Legal Director at FGA. “DOJ’s decision to stonewall our lawful request under FOIA raises grave concerns that the Biden administration may be hiding the full details of these plans from the public and Congress. With the mid-term elections mere months away, the American people have a right to know the full details of this unprecedented effort by the president before it is too late. FGA will not rest until we get the American people the answers they deserve. If we cannot get those answers through FOIA requests, we will use the power of the courts instead.”
To date, the Biden administration has refused to provide these requested documents to Congress as well.
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The Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) is a non-profit, multi-state think tank that promotes public policy solutions to create opportunities for every American to experience the American Dream. To learn more, visit TheFGA.org.
Media Contact
Victoria Eardley, Foundation for Government Accountability, 239-300-9081×138, [email protected]
SOURCE Foundation for Government Accountability
