Neera Tanden told Congress she directed autopen signatures for Biden but did not know who approved them.

Congress Probes Signature Process Under Biden Administration

Neera Tanden, former director of President Joe Biden's Domestic Policy Council and one of his most senior aides, faced extensive questioning on Tuesday before the House Oversight Committee. The committee is examining both Biden's use of an automatic signature tool, known as the autopen, and longstanding questions regarding his mental acuity during his presidency.

During over five hours of closed-door testimony, Tanden explained her role as staff secretary and senior advisor between 2021 and 2023. She confirmed that she was authorized to direct autopen signatures on Biden’s behalf, allowing aides to sign pardons, memos, and other important documents. Tanden noted that the approval system she used was inherited from previous administrations, but made clear that she never discussed Biden’s health or fitness to serve with other White House officials.

Tanden described an approval process that left her unaware of who within Biden’s inner circle was responsible for final clearance on the use of the autopen. According to sources familiar with her testimony, she said she would send decision memos to close Biden advisors but was not informed of what happened between the memo’s submission and its return with necessary approval. “I was not aware of who specifically was giving the green light,” Tanden reportedly testified.

No Discussion of Biden’s Health Among Top Aides

When pressed by lawmakers about Biden’s health—especially in the wake of his widely criticized debate performance last summer—Tanden responded that she had never discussed the president’s mental fitness with other officials. Committee members listed a number of senior staff with whom she could have potentially raised the topic; she denied discussing the matter with any of them.

Following the hearing, Tanden declined to take questions from reporters on her way into the Capitol but addressed the media after exiting. “I just spoke with the House Oversight Committee, Majority and Minority Council. I answered every question, was pleased to discuss my public service and it was a thorough process. And I'm glad I answered everyone's question,” she stated. Asked if there had been any effort to conceal Biden’s condition, Tanden firmly replied, “Absolutely not.”

Additional Witnesses to Appear in Oversight Investigation

The House Oversight Committee’s probe is set to continue. Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s former White House physician, is expected to appear for a deposition after being subpoenaed by committee Republicans. Other scheduled witnesses include Anthony Bernal, senior advisor to former first lady Jill Biden; Annie Tomasini, former deputy chief of staff; and Ashley Williams, former deputy director of Oval Office operations.

Republican members of the committee are also seeking testimony from additional high-level officials who were among Biden’s closest confidants, including former chief of staff Ron Klain and Anita Dunn, who served as a senior advisor for communications. The investigation is ongoing, with lawmakers continuing to focus on questions surrounding the president’s decision-making process and the use of autopen signatures on key documents.