House Republicans are backing the House Administration Committee's subpoena of ActBlue, a prominent Democratic fundraising platform, citing concerns over insufficient donor verification standards. The Committee, led by Chair Bryan Steil, R-Wis., alleges that ActBlue is susceptible to fraudulent and illegal foreign donations, a claim vehemently denied by ActBlue, which asserts its commitment to safeguarding donor security.
Republicans, including Rep. Richard Hudson and House GOP Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik, have raised alarm over potential foreign interference in U.S. elections through ActBlue. They argue that the platform's lax security measures could enable foreign actors to influence election outcomes.
One key issue highlighted by Republicans is ActBlue's recent decision to not require a card verification value (CVV) for donations, a move that has sparked criticism and calls for increased scrutiny.
Chairman Steil issued a subpoena demanding documents related to ActBlue's donor verification policies and the risk of foreign entities using the platform to funnel illicit funds into American political campaigns. ActBlue has pledged to address the allegations and defend its security practices.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise expressed support for the subpoena, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding elections from foreign manipulation. Other committee members, such as Rep. Laurel Lee and Rep. Greg Murphy, echoed concerns about potential loopholes in ActBlue's security protocols that could be exploited by malicious actors.
As the general election approaches, the debate over ActBlue's security measures intensifies, with Republicans pushing for greater transparency and accountability to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
ActBlue, for its part, maintains that it upholds stringent security and anti-fraud measures to protect donors' information, dismissing the GOP's accusations as baseless and unsubstantiated.
