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House Administration chair alleges ActBlue allowed foreign donations, subpoenas CEO Regina Wallace‑Jones
Summary
At a House Administration hearing on preventing fraudulent donations, the committee chair alleged ActBlue may have allowed foreign donations, misled Congress, and withheld subpoenaed documents; ActBlue CEO Regina Wallace‑Jones appeared under subpoena as the committee cited internal notes and outside‑counsel warnings.
The Committee on House Administration opened a hearing on preventing fraudulent donations, transparency, verification and accountability, where the committee chair alleged that ActBlue may have permitted impermissible foreign contributions, provided misleading information to Congress and withheld subpoenaed documents.
"We believe in a principle that only Americans should decide American elections. ActBlue has violated that principle," the chair said in opening remarks, summarizing the committee's concerns. The chair said the committee began an investigation in 2023 after reports that foreign actors were exploiting the platform to funnel money to U.S. political campaigns.
The chair summarized three fraud‑prevention steps described in written responses from ActBlue CEO Regina Wallace‑Jones: requiring U.S. passport information when donors use a foreign address; contacting donors when a contribution appears to come from a foreign address to request passport information; and refunding contributions if ActBlue cannot contact the donor. The chair said The New York Times reported that ActBlue’s outside counsel reviewed Ms. Wallace‑Jones’ response and warned those steps were not always followed and that some funds reviewed appeared to be impermissible contributions from foreign nationals.
The committee said documents it subpoenaed include internal ActBlue meeting notes and training materials. According to the materials the committee presented, meeting notes directed staff to "Remember that we want to look for reasons to accept contributions. Do not reject contributions for a single suspicious characteristic. Look for the forest and not the trees." A separate internal memo cited by the committee advised that if an otherwise legitimate donor used a fake name, the workflow guidance favored accepting the donation.
The chair told the committee it has evidence that ActBlue detected at least 22 significant fraud campaigns, nine of which the chair said had a foreign nexus. The committee also deposed five former ActBlue employees; the chair said those employees collectively invoked the Fifth Amendment 146 times and declined to answer deposition questions.
Ms. Wallace‑Jones appeared before the committee after her counsel requested that the committee seat a subpoena; the chair said a subpoena was provided so she would appear to answer questions. "Ms. Wallace‑Jones is now before us. I look forward to your answers to our questions," the chair said.
The hearing will continue with opening remarks from the ranking member and questions from members of the committee and invited chairs of related committees. The committee left the hearing record open for five legislative days so members may submit additional materials.
