GOP Investigates ActBlue Fundraising Ahead of Election

A House committee, led by Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Wis., is intensifying its investigation into ActBlue, a prominent Democratic fundraising platform, amid allegations of potential violations of campaign donation laws. In a letter to the Federal Election Commission (FEC), Steil called for urgent rulemaking to mandate that political campaigns verify the card verification value (CVV) for online donations and to prohibit contributions from prepaid credit cards and gift cards. This move follows reports of fraudulent donations linked to ActBlue, raising concerns about the platform's donor verification processes. Whistleblowers have come forward, alleging that ActBlue intentionally bypasses CVV verification to facilitate easier donations, which could lead to fraudulent activities. The committee has noted instances of numerous small donations from individuals, including retirees on fixed incomes, and multiple contributions of $2.50 from the same donor. While some Democratic candidates' ActBlue pages require CVV numbers for credit card donations, other payment methods like PayPal and Venmo do not, potentially creating loopholes in the verification process. Steil's letter highlights the risks associated with accepting prepaid cards, suggesting that they could enable "straw donors" to make illegal contributions, including from foreign nationals. This investigation aligns with similar inquiries initiated by GOP attorneys general in Virginia, Wyoming, and Missouri, indicating a broader scrutiny of campaign finance practices. In response, ActBlue has dismissed the investigation as a partisan attack aimed at undermining the influence of small-dollar Democratic donors, asserting their commitment to addressing the allegations. The organization, along with the Harris campaign, has not provided further comments on the ongoing inquiries.