House Republicans are ramping up pressure on the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to investigate ActBlue, a prominent Democratic fundraising platform, over allegations of potentially illegal activities. The controversy, spearheaded by Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY) and Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI), centers on ActBlue’s alleged facilitation of fraudulent donations, including contributions from foreign entities. The platform's decision not to require Card Verification Value (CVV) numbers for online donations—a common security measure used across the e-commerce industry—has raised alarms within the GOP.
The demands for an investigation intensified after whistleblowers and independent journalists reported suspicious donation patterns linked to ActBlue. These reports highlighted a series of small, frequent contributions made under the names of retirees, many of whom had no knowledge of these donations. In some cases, seniors were recorded as making thousands of donations annually, amounting to tens of thousands of dollars, despite their claims of making only minor contributions. This has led to accusations that ActBlue is being used to launder illicit funds under the guise of grassroots donations.
Indiana Woman Denies Thousands in ActBlue Donations, Provides Bank Records to OMG Against FEC Claims
JUST IN ON ACTBLUE money laundering: According to Federal Election Commission (FEC) data, Alberta Jones of Indiana allegedly contributed $1,900 to ActBlue between 2019 and 2024.⌠pic.twitter.com/A78RTTdPK7
— James O'Keefe (@JamesOKeefeIII) August 5, 2024
Rep. Tenney, in a letter to the FEC, specifically called for an investigation into what she described as "anomalous transaction activity" associated with ActBlue donations. She also questioned whether the FEC had previously examined the platform's lax verification processes and urged the commission to commit to a thorough investigation if it had not already done so. Tenney’s concerns were echoed by Rep. Steil, who chairs the House Administration Committee. Steil has called for emergency rulemaking by the FEC to enforce stricter verification measures, including the mandatory use of CVV numbers for online donations.
The allegations against ActBlue have also drawn attention from other GOP leaders, including U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL). Rubio has long criticized ActBlue for its perceived security flaws, arguing that the platform's failure to implement basic fraud prevention measures makes it a conduit for illegal donations. In a recent statement, Rubio described ActBlue as "a vessel for fraud," citing reports that the platform had processed donations from individuals without their knowledge or consent.
đ¨
California Judge Yvette Roland–handpicked by the Democrat House speaker–is disbarring constitutional attorney John Eastman for making legal arguments with which she disagreed.
Roland's a donor to Barack Obama, Kamala Harris, Gavin Newsom, DNC, ActBlue, and other Democrats. pic.twitter.com/WvRnROiwGY
— đşđ¸ Mike Davis đşđ¸ (@mrddmia) March 28, 2024
Further complicating matters, investigations have revealed that ActBlue may have facilitated the funneling of unlawful contributions to Democratic campaigns. Some reports suggest that the platform has been used to obscure the identities and locations of donors, particularly through the use of gift cards and prepaid credit cards. These practices, according to the GOP, present a serious loophole in the transparency and integrity of the campaign finance process.
ActBlue has dismissed these allegations as politically motivated attacks. In a statement, the organization characterized the investigation as a "partisan political attack and scare tactic" aimed at undermining the power of small-dollar donors. ActBlue maintains that its platform is secure and that it complies with all federal campaign finance laws. Despite this, the platform's practices have come under increasing scrutiny, with attorneys general in multiple states, including Virginia and Missouri, launching their own investigations into the platform’s operations.
The controversy surrounding ActBlue is part of a broader GOP effort to address concerns about election integrity and campaign finance transparency. As the 2024 presidential election approaches, Republicans are pushing for stricter regulations on online donations to prevent fraud and ensure that all contributions comply with federal law. The outcome of the FEC’s decision on whether to investigate ActBlue could have significant implications for how political campaigns are funded in the future.
The debate over ActBlue’s practices highlights the ongoing tension between efforts to facilitate grassroots political engagement and the need to protect the integrity of the electoral process. As the investigation unfolds, it is likely to fuel further partisan battles over campaign finance and the influence of money in politics. For now, the GOP remains steadfast in its demand for accountability, urging the FEC to take decisive action against what they see as a clear threat to the fairness and transparency of American elections.
TELL US IT ISNT SO. Democrates fraudulently sucking up money from foreign doners and other illicit sources.