(RepublicanWire.org) – The White House and President Joe Biden face scrutiny over millions of dollars worth of government contracts and loans going to prominent Democratic donors.
According to a group of House Republicans requesting more information about the White house’s process for awarding contracts, the Biden administration has maintained a habit of doling out taxpayer money to businesses associated with donors.
A letter to GOP members of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform sent to White House Office read, “Awarding lucrative government contracts to companies led by large Democratic donors is becoming a troubling Biden Administration pattern and raises questions about whether political contributions play a role in the decision to award federal taxpayer dollars.”
Much of the letter’s focus centers on Joe Kiani, the founder, and CEO of a company called Masimo. Kiani was appointed to the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology last September and has donated nearly $3 million to Biden and Democratic-aligned groups. His company has received close to $3 million in federal government contracts since January 2021 from agencies including the Department of Defense, Department of Health and Human Services, and Department of Veterans Affairs.
Masimo received government contracts in previous presidential administrations but is on the path to exceeding that amount under Biden with Kiani now also serving on a White House board.
“Kiani has given more money to support President Biden than most Americans dream of having in their lifetimes,” South Carolina Rep. Ralph Norman said in a statement. “I’m determined to ensure this administration is not leveraging kickbacks in return for campaign financing.”
The letter also brought attention to Lukas Walton, the billionaire grandson of Walmart founder Sam Walton. Walton owns 4.9% of a solar firm that received a $500 million loan from the International Development Finance Institution. Walton donated $300,000 to Biden’s 2020 campaign and $100,000 to the Democratic National Committee in 2020.
A source with the Oversight and Reform Committee Republicans said there wasn’t any evidence the contracts were no-bid.
However, conservative groups touted the moves and said the call is more than warranted.
“Between his personnel appointments, ambassador picks, and his administration’s suspicious government contracts, it is clear that Biden is rewarding his supporters with taxpayer money,” said Heritage Action spokeswoman Carson Steelman. “Biden’s moves represent the worst of the Washington swamp, and Congress is right to demand more transparency and accountability on behalf of the American people.”