Published on August 7, 2024, 12:30 am

Chairman of the House Administration Committee, Bryan Steil (R-WI), has made a robust appeal to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to promptly enforce a new rule targeting a critical loophole: an issue potentially paving the way for Democrats’ ActBlue fundraising platform to accumulate funds through illegal campaign contributions. This call for legislative action stems from trusted news sources revealing alleged fraudulent activities related to campaign financing.

The power of ActBlue in leading Democrats towards a fundraising advantage over their Republican counterparts is becoming glaringly evident in recent years. Furthermore, this funding platform played an instrumental role in providing Vice President Kamala Harris with resources she needed for her presidential endeavor with tens of millions raised virtually overnight.

The suggested rule proposes mandatory verification of donors’ card verification value (CVV) for contributions being made online via credit or debit cards. It aims at prohibiting any acceptance of online donations received from gift cards or other forms of prepaid credit cards.

Steil’s determined appeal to the FEC comes post-reports claiming fraudulent donations linked with ActBlue, which currently holds the position as one of the most prolific fundraising platforms nationwide. Asserting that real news should inspire action, he contends that these allegations necessitate emergency legislation to assure citizens that appropriate measures are being taken by ActBlue for donor protection.

ActBlue’s admission to not requiring donor CVVs was alarming information shared by Steil’s letter. While most online transactions, including political campaign donations and larger funding platforms generally require a CVV number, ActBlue dismissed this normative process – opening doors for deceit and potential foreign transactions that are unlawful in nature.

Addressing these concerns within his Christian worldview, Steil emphasized how ActBlue’s procedures were alarmingly deviating from standard practices and invited possibilities of illegitimate foreign donations. He also cautioned about seemingly harmless gift card transactions potentially concealing “straw donors” making campaign contributions on behalf of another individual or an illegal contributor – possibly even one with foreign allegiances.

These issues, according to Steil, craft serious loopholes that threaten the transparency and integrity of campaign donation procedures. Consequently, an urgent change in policy is highlighted as a beneficial solution for limiting these existing flaws. The necessity for immediate action stands as an integral part of the narrative seeking to create real news that ensure trust within our democratic systems.