Republicans Want to Probe California Secretary’s $35 Million Grant to Biden-Linked Firm
In this screenshot from the DNCC’s livestream of the 2020 Democratic National Convention, California Secretary of State Alex Padilla addresses the virtual convention on August 20, 2020. The convention, which was once expected to draw 50,000 people to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is now taking place virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic. DNCC via Getty Images

The House Oversight and House Administration Committees Republicans are demanding answers from California Secretary of State Alex Padilla's $35 million contract that he allegedly awarded to a firm related to the Biden campaign.

The Republicans claim that it was a misuse of taxpayer money and a violation of the law, as reported by Fox News.

House Oversight Committee Ranking Member James Comer, R-Ky., Administration Committee Ranking Member Rodney Davis, R-Ill., and Rep. Jody Hice, R-Ga., claim that Padilla's office used Help America Vote Act grant money from the COVID-19 stimulus package to fund voter contract with SKD Knickerbocker.

SKD Knickerbocker is a public affairs and political consulting firm, which the Republican officials described as Joe Biden's main election campaign advisory firm.

"We are writing to request a member-level briefing on the status of your review of the highly questionable $35 million contract for voter contact the California Secretary of State's Office awarded to SKD Knickerbocker, Joe Biden's main election campaign advisory firm," Comer, Davis, and Hice wrote in a letter.

The letter was sent to inspector general for the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, which was exclusively obtained by Fox News.

Padilla has been reported the frontrunner to be appointed to Democratic vice-presidential nominee Kamala Harris' Senate seat.

Comer, Davis, and Hice said that an appointment to Harris' seat is forecasted to be made before Jan. 20, 2021.

The three Republican officials added that as Padilla may become a member of the United States Senate in just days or weeks, it is important that he gives answers about his decision to grant a contract to a partisan firm.

The Republican lawmakers also wrote that they provided documents to the office of the inspector general.

The lawmakers said that the $35 million contract was intended to use in hopes to support a partisan firm through the use of taxpayer money, which could then affect the election.

SKD Knickerbocker have workers that are some former Obama communication officials and others who have worked with Democrats in the past.

The firm's website states their support for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and Harris.

Included in the firm's websites are their 2020 clients, included in the list is Biden for President and other Democratic candidates for public office.

Meanwhile, Biden senior campaign adviser Anita Dunn is a partner and founding member of SKD Knickerbocker.

She then returned to the firm after Election Day.

The Republican who filed the claims demanded that the inspector general set a briefing regarding the matter on Dec. 10.

Comer said that Padilla's decision to fast-track a no-bid contract to a pro-Biden firm triggers serious ethical and legal questions.

Comer added that they mush have answers immediately surrounding the issue.

He also noted that Padilla must be held accountable for the said misuse of American taxpayer's money.

Meanwhile, neither Padilla's office nor SKD Knickerbocker immediately responded to request for comments.