Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-N.Y., sent a letter to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) requesting an investigation into ActBlue, a Democratic fundraising platform that has raised millions for Vice President Harris’ presidential campaign. In the letter, Tenney, who co-chairs the House Election Integrity Caucus, raised concerns about fraudulent and potentially illegal behavior related to donations made through ActBlue.
The letter highlighted reports of anomalous transaction activities involving hundreds of thousands of dollars and individuals allegedly donating thousands of times annually without their knowledge. Tenney pointed out that ActBlue does not require a card verification value (CVV) number to complete a transaction, unlike most e-commerce platforms. She emphasized the importance of using CVV numbers as an anti-fraud measure to prevent unlawful transactions.
Tenney expressed concerns about ActBlue’s lack of security in donation practices and the potential for fraudulent activities, including foreign interference in the electoral system. She urged the FEC to investigate the anomalous transaction activities and ActBlue’s verification processes. The congresswoman also inquired about ActBlue’s compliance with federal rules on accepting online donations and asked the FEC to consider requiring campaigns to verify online donors’ CVV numbers.
Additionally, Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Wis., the chair of the Committee on House Administration, called on the FEC to initiate emergency rulemaking to require political campaigns to verify donors’ CVV numbers for online contributions. This request followed accusations against ActBlue for allegedly skirting campaign donation laws and allowing fraud on the platform. Whistleblowers have raised concerns about ActBlue not using CVV numbers to lower verification standards, as well as receiving donations from retirees and individuals making multiple small donations.
Despite these allegations, ActBlue has raised millions for Vice President Harris’ campaign against former President Trump. The platform has faced scrutiny for its donation practices and security measures, prompting calls for investigations and regulatory action to ensure the integrity of the electoral system.
In conclusion, the concerns raised by Rep. Tenney and Rep. Steil highlight the importance of transparency and security in political fundraising. As the FEC considers these requests for investigations and rulemaking, it is essential to address any potential vulnerabilities in donation processes to maintain public trust in the electoral system. By holding fundraising platforms accountable and implementing safeguards against fraud, policymakers can uphold the integrity of campaigns and elections.
