GOP investigates questionable donor verification process in Democratic fundraising platform.
Republicans Investigate Left-Wing Fundraising Platform for Alleged Unlawful Donations
Republicans on the Committee on House Administration are launching an inquiry into ActBlue, a prominent left-wing fundraising platform. They are concerned about the platform’s ”lenient” donor verification practices, which they claim allow illegal funds to support Democrat political causes.
The letter, authored by Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Wis., and addressed to ActBlue CEO Regina Wallace-Jones, demands information about the platform’s donor verification standards. Steil alleges that these standards have enabled “malicious actors” to funnel illegal funds into political committees during crucial elections across the country. ActBlue is known for accumulating small-dollar donations and redirecting them to various Democrat candidates and causes.
Prior to the 2020 election, data obtained by Fox News revealed that nearly half of all 2019 donations to ActBlue were made by individuals claiming to be unemployed. This raised concerns about the legality of the funds, as federal law explicitly prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to U.S. political campaigns and elections.
An investigative report by Epoch Times last month also highlighted numerous irregular contributions funneled through ActBlue to support the Democrat candidate in Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race.
The letter states, “In some cases, reports allege that such persons are using untraceable, prepaid cards to ‘wash’ otherwise impermissible funds into apparently clean contributions, possibly including money from foreign sources. Allegations also suggest that malicious actors employ standard identity theft practices to send unlawful funds through ActBlue platform users, with the names of actual persons used to make contributions without their knowledge or consent.”
This is not the first instance of foreign dark money benefiting Democrats. Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss has indirectly supported Democrats’ election efforts for years. Americans for Public Trust, a conservative watchdog group, filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission against Wyss in May 2021 for allegedly violating the Federal Election Campaign Act.
[[LISTEN: How One Swiss Billionaire Is Transforming American Politics]In his letter to Wallace-Jones, Steil also poses several questions regarding ActBlue’s donor verification procedures. He wants to know if ActBlue requires credit card security codes or other identifying information for contributions and if the platform will take voluntary steps to ensure that only real individuals can make contributions to political committees using its services.
Shawn Fleetwood is a staff writer for The Federalist and a graduate of the University of Mary Washington. He previously served as a state content writer for Convention of States Action and his work has been featured in numerous outlets, including RealClearPolitics, RealClearHealth, and Conservative Review. Follow him on Twitter @ShawnFleetwood
What potential implications could the outcome of this investigation have on ActBlue and other fundraising platforms, and the broader debate on campaign finance reform
O indicate that donors may be using false names, addresses, and other information to bypass the platform’s minimal verification process.” The Republicans are requesting detailed information on ActBlue’s donor vetting procedures, as well as any steps taken to uncover and prevent unlawful contributions.
ActBlue, founded in 2004, has become a vital tool for Democratic candidates, committees, and progressive organizations. The platform has seen exponential growth in recent years, especially during the 2020 election cycle, raising over $4.2 billion in donations. Its success has made ActBlue an attractive target for Republican lawmakers who question the legitimacy of the funds it channels to Democratic causes.
Rep. Steil’s letter also emphasizes the need for transparency in campaign finance and questions ActBlue’s compliance with existing regulations. In response to the inquiry, ActBlue has stated that it complies with all applicable laws and regulations regarding campaign finance and donor identity verification. They also highlight the detailed reporting they provide to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) on all contributions and donors.
While this investigation is politically charged, it raises important questions about the potential loopholes in campaign finance regulations and the influence of fundraising platforms in American politics. The outcome of the inquiry could have significant implications for ActBlue and other similar platforms, as well as the broader debate on campaign finance reform.
As the investigation unfolds, both Republicans and ActBlue must ensure transparency and accountability. A comprehensive audit and review of ActBlue’s donor verification processes and actions to address any reported irregularities are necessary to maintain the integrity of the American electoral system. It is vital that any unlawful donations or fraudulent activities are identified and addressed promptly.
Furthermore, this investigation should prompt a broader discussion on campaign finance reform. Clear guidelines and stricter regulations should be put in place to prevent the circumvention of donation laws and to ensure that all political fundraising platforms are held to the same standards of transparency and accountability.
Ultimately, the investigation into ActBlue’s donor verification practices will shed light on the potential vulnerabilities in the campaign finance system. It is crucial that the findings inform necessary reforms to protect the integrity of the democratic process and restore trust in the electoral system.
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