The House Administration Committee is delving into allegations of foreign donations funneled through ActBlue to Democrats from nations including China, Russia, Iran, and Venezuela.
The New York Post reported that a Republican-led investigation alleges foreign adversaries may have exploited ActBlue to influence U.S. politics by disguising donations as domestic contributions.
The House Administration Committee, under Republican leadership, has uncovered evidence suggesting that donations from foreign entities may have been illegally channeled into Democratic campaigns.
At the center of the controversy is ActBlue, an online fundraising platform known for aiding Democratic campaigns. The Committee is led by Chairman Bryan Steil (R-Wis.), who formally requested information from ActBlue’s CEO, Regina Wallace-Jones, regarding their donor verification procedures.
Republicans on the Committee are questioning whether the verification protocols of ActBlue have vulnerabilities that could allow manipulation by foreign actors.
Concerns arise that these foreign entities might be utilizing "straw donors" to clandestinely funnel contributions. Real donors remain unaware of the transactions, potentially implicating ActBlue without its knowledge.
Chairman Steil has emphasized the potential for fraud, stating the lack of sufficient identity verification may have inadvertently enabled foreign actors to participate in U.S. political activities.
“Our investigation has indicated that these [foreign] actors may be exploiting existing U.S. [sic] donors by making straw donations,” Steil said.
In response, ActBlue has implemented updates to their donation process, including requiring the CVV code for new credit card transactions. This measure aims to enhance security and fraud prevention.
Further complicating matters, Mark Block, a strategist from Wisconsin, has filed a lawsuit alleging identity theft.
He claims to have unknowingly made 385 donations totaling $884.38 under his name to support left-wing causes and Vice President Harris’s super PAC. With contributions under $200, these donations sidestepped mandatory FEC reporting requirements.
The allegations have drawn attention to suspicious donation patterns in ActBlue’s history over the last 14 years. Experts observing the situation have noted peculiar anomalies, such as multiple small donations from the same individual and transactions that do not align with the financial capacities of the purported donors.
Chairman Steil and the Committee have called for action from the Federal Election Commission. They urge the FEC to initiate an “emergency rulemaking process” to prevent foreign manipulation of campaign donations.
This move is part of a broader strategy to strengthen monitoring efforts and safeguard the integrity of U.S. elections from foreign interference.
The Committee is also coordinating classified briefings with several federal agencies, including the Treasury Department, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the FBI. These sessions aim to aid in the thorough investigation of the alleged illegal contributions by foreign actors.
Multiple state attorneys general are likewise launching their inquiries into the matter. They are acting on referrals from the Committee to probe suspicious donations made in the names of unaware individuals within their jurisdictions.
Despite these allegations, ActBlue remains steadfast in its defense. An ActBlue spokesperson stated, "We rigorously protect our donors’ security and enforce strict anti-fraud compliance policies." They stand by the platform's reputation for trustworthiness and reliability in digital fundraising.
ActBlue raised over $2.2 billion for Democratic campaigns and causes in the 2021-2022 cycle.
Following President Biden's decision not to seek re-election in 2024, ActBlue's donor base rapidly contributed $46.7 million to support Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign facing former President Donald Trump.
This controversy with ActBlue marks a continuation of challenges, adding to an already complex election landscape. As the Committee progresses with its investigation, they are in the midst of subpoenaing ActBlue for records dating from October 1, 2023, regarding donations made with prepaid or gift cards.
