House Republicans are pressing the U.S. Treasury Department for data that could reveal whether fraudulent campaign contributions were made through ActBlue, the online fundraising platform that has funneled billions to Democratic candidates in recent election cycles.
The House Oversight and House Administration committees sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday, requesting all suspicious transactions linked to ActBlue from Jan. 1, 2023. Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.), Administration Chairman Bryan Steil (R-Wis.), and Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-N.Y.) cited concerns over reports of fraud and campaign finance law violations by individuals exploiting online donation platforms.
The lawmakers pointed to multiple state-level investigations into allegations of fraudulent contributions made through ActBlue without the knowledge of the reported donors—allegations that could constitute federal law violations if proven true.
Republicans raised concerns that “bad actors, including foreign nationals,” may have illegally contributed through unwitting straw donors, warning that so-called “dummy” accounts have proliferated on the platform.
A memo in October indicated that the Treasury Department had already flagged “hundreds” of Suspicious Activity Reports potentially implicating ActBlue. However, Comer, Steil, and Langworthy accused the Biden administration’s Treasury Department of stalling document requests for months, with former Secretary Janet Yellen only allowing “limited” access to records in her final months in office.
“We write to request Treasury, in its commitment to transparency and cooperation, provide both Committees with the remaining records relevant to our investigations,” the lawmakers stated.
ActBlue has played a pivotal role in Democratic fundraising, helping to direct nearly $2 billion to Democratic candidates and causes in the 2023-24 election cycle, including $46.7 million to Kamala Harris’ campaign within hours of her replacing Biden as the nominee. Since its launch in 2004, the platform has facilitated over $16 billion in donations.
Until last year, ActBlue did not require CVVs for debit, credit, or prepaid card transactions. A House GOP probe found instances where donors contributed far beyond their financial means or to candidates from the opposing party. In some cases, individuals made hundreds of $2.50 donations to ActBlue.
The New York Times reported that at least seven senior ActBlue officials resigned in late February, causing concern among Democratic groups and allies, including labor unions.
