Latest news with #legislative reforms
Fox News
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Fox News
SCOOP: Dem fundraising giant ActBlue hit with subpoena by top House committees
FIRST ON FOX: Three House committees are banding together to subpoena Democratic fundraising giant ActBlue on Tuesday, accusing the platform of having accepted "fraudulent or illegal" donations for left-wing candidates. "In light of allegations that online fundraising platforms that serve as conduits for political donations have accepted fraudulent donations from domestic and foreign sources, the Committees are conducting oversight to inform potential legislative reforms," House investigators' letter to ActBlue read. "To further our oversight and legislative reform efforts, on April 2, 2025, the Committees requested documents and communications related to internal misconduct and whistleblower retaliation at ActBlue. Although ActBlue initially provided documents voluntarily, it has since suspended its cooperation with the Committees. Therefore, the Committee on House Administration must resort to compulsory process to obtain the requested materials." The subpoena is being led by Committee on House Administration Chair Bryan Steil, R-Wis., House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., and House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan, R-Ohio. Their letter said ActBlue had initially appeared to work with the House committees in April and May before having "abruptly changed course" in June. "ActBlue did not provide a legitimate legal basis for refusing future cooperation with the Committees, and instead made baseless and untrue allegations about the Committees' motives," the lawmakers said. The committees have been jointly investigating ActBlue ever since first raising concerns about their donation practices in 2023. At the time, Steil accused ActBlue of failing to properly account for private citizens' security by not requiring a CVV number for credit card donations. That has since changed, however, and ActBlue does currently require that information. His and other Republicans' probe has since expanded to question whether ActBlue accepted donations from foreign actors. Late last month, the committees subpoenaed current and former ActBlue employees to appear for transcribed interviews. They also previously subpoenaed ActBlue itself in October 2024. Their new subpoena to ActBlue and letter to CEO Regina Wallace-Jones is another escalation in the probe, however. In a statement to Fox News in late 2024, an ActBlue spokesperson accused Steil of perpetuating "inaccuracies and misrepresentations about our platform." "We rigorously protect donors' security and maintain strict anti-fraud compliance practices. We have zero tolerance for fraud on our platform," the spokesperson said at the time. The latest subpoena letter accused ActBlue of lying about the committees "improperly coordinating" with the Department of Justice (DOJ) on the matter, and of giving a weak explanation for its lack of cooperation. "ActBlue alleges that the Committees are pursuing oversight for an improper purpose of fact-finding for a Department of Justice investigation. This assertion is inaccurate," the lawmakers said. "As we have explained, the Committees have a legislative interest in protecting the integrity of federal elections and upholding fundamental civil liberties by ensuring that online fundraising platforms are not vulnerable to bad actors, including foreign actors." The subpoena gives ActBlue a deadline of Aug. 12 to turn over documents lawmakers are seeking. Fox News Digital reached out to ActBlue for comment but did not immediately hear back.
Zawya
11-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan: Prime minister directs gov't to intensify dialogue on municipal, governorate councils laws
AMMAN — Prime Minister Jafar Hassan directs the government to increase national dialogue on laws governing municipal and governorate councils, stressing the need for the inclusion of relevant stakeholders to help draft laws that improve the performance of municipalities and governorate councils and raise them to the desired level. The prime minister's instructions were given during a Cabinet session he chaired on Wednesday, the Jordan news agency, Petra, reported. The session followed the recent decision to dissolve municipal and governorate councils, paving the way for legislative reforms aligned with the political modernisation agenda. Minister of Local Administration Walid Masri briefed the Cabinet on the performance of temporary committees formed to oversee municipal affairs during this transitional period. The Cabinet emphasised the need for these committees to coordinate effectively with all stakeholders to improve public services, enhance infrastructure, and continue the digitisation of municipal operations. The government also reaffirmed its commitment to legislative reforms to strengthen local governance, calling for broader national dialogue involving key institutions and the public, according to Petra. In a move it said aimed at supporting the tourism sector and stimulating the economy, the Cabinet approved the extension of a special tax exemption on airline tickets for flights departing from King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba for an additional three years. The measure aims to attract more airlines, increase tourist numbers, and lower travel costs, ultimately boosting Aqaba's tourism appeal and contributing to the national economy. The Cabinet also endorsed a draft bylaw to establish, license, and operate an independent electric transmission system. It also covers the procedures for setting up self-generation or storage stations connected to the new system. The Cabinet also approved the settlement of 672 tax disputes between the Income and Sales Tax Department and taxpayers. The move is part of ongoing efforts to stimulate economic activity and help citizens resolve outstanding tax issues, Petra said. Also during the session, the Cabinet Cabinet approved key financial and legal documents related to the National Water Carrier Project, in cooperation with the World Bank's Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA). The project aims to provide 300 million cubic meters of potable water annually and improve supply to all governorates. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
