Nashville Standard

United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Rules Committee, and Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05) have led their colleagues in demanding answers from U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland regarding the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) efforts to prevent aliens from registering to vote in American elections.

"As you are likely aware, the United States has experienced a record number of border encounters since President Biden took office—nearly 10 million—many of whom have been released into, or evaded apprehension while entering, the U.S.," the Members of Congress wrote. "We’re writing to inquire regarding the efforts undertaken by your Department to enforce the law that prohibits non-citizens from voting in our elections."

State officials across various states including South Carolina, Georgia, Ohio, and Tennessee have recently taken steps to prevent and investigate cases of illegal voter registration by non-citizens.

"Plainly, there are opportunities for and instances of non-citizen voter registration, and so the critical question is whether the laws against doing so are being enforced by your Department," continued the Members of Congress. "There appear to have been few prosecutions by your Department under these laws, and there is no indication that you have been pursuing cases in places like Georgia and Ohio where aliens have been caught registering or voting."

The members requested specific information by July 26, 2024:

1. The number of aliens charged, tried, or convicted under 18 U.S.C. § 611 since January 20, 2021.

2. The number of aliens charged, tried, or convicted under 52 U.S.C. § 20511 since January 20, 2021.

3. The number prosecuted under 18 U.S.C. § 911 since 2021.

4. Referrals received concerning these statutes.

5. DOJ's methods for investigating allegations of non-citizen voting or registration.

6. Steps taken by DOJ to detect and deter illegal registrations.

7. Actions taken to obtain relevant information from DHS on registered or voting aliens.

8. Efforts by U.S Attorneys and Public Integrity Section concerning jury-related information indicating unlawful registrations.

9. Planned actions for detecting and prosecuting violations as the 2024 election nears.

Co-signers include Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mike Braun (R-IN), Ted Budd (R-NC), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Josh Hawley (R-MO), John Hoeven (R-ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Ron Johnson (R-WI), James Lankford (R-OK), Mike Lee (R-UT), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Jim Risch (R-ID), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tim Scott (R-SC), John Thune(R-SD). Representatives Aaron Bean(R-FL-04); Dan Bishop(R-NC-08); Lauren Boebert(R-CO-03); Josh Brecheen(R-OK-02); Tim Burchett(R-TN-02); Eric Burlison(R-MO-07); Buddy Carter(R-GA-01); Ben Cline(R-VA-06); Eli Crane(R-AZ-02); Dan Crenshaw(R-TX-02); Byron Donalds(R-FL19).

Additional signatories include Jeff Duncan(R-SC03); Chuck Edwards(RNC11); Randy Feenstra( RIA04 ); Chuck Fleischmann( RTN03 ); Matt Gaetz( RFL01 ); Bob Good( RVA05 ); Lance Gooden( RTX05 ); Michael Guest( RMS03 ); Andy Harris( RMD01 ); Diana Harshbarger( RTN01 ); Clay Higgins( RLA03 ); David Kustoff( RTN08 ) ; Debbie Lesko(AZ02) ; Barry Loudermilk(GA11) ; Rich McCormick(GA06) ; Dan Meuser(PA09) ; Mary Miller(Il15) ; Cory Mills(Fla07 ) ; Barry Moore(AL02 ) ; Troy Nehls(Tx22 ) ; Ralph Norman(SC05 ) ,Andy Ogles(Tn05 ),Gary Palmer(AL06 ),August Pfluger(Tx11 ),Bill Posey(Fla08 ),John Rose(Tn06 ),Matt Rosendale(Mt02 ),Chip Roy(Tx21 ),Keith Self(Tx03 ),Claudia Tenney(NY22).

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