U.S. Treasury and CFPB should investigate payment blocking by credit card processors to conservative groups

Americans for Limited Government President Rick Manning today issued the following statement urging U.S. Treasury and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to investigate allegations that Visa and Mastercard are blocking financial donations to conservative non-profit groups:

“Reports that Visa and Mastercard may have engaged in a political blacklisting effort against Freedom Center and Jihad Watch are disturbing given recent actions by other financial services entities to choke off credit and basic banking services to conservative groups and businesses.

Visa’s denial that this is occurring is welcome if true. But the larger issue of the impact of the discredited Southern Poverty Law Center on access to social media platforms, financial services and fundraising, and past actions coordinating with DHS and federal law enforcement agencies to target those same entities needs to be addressed.

Southern Poverty Law Center should be permanently blocked from receiving any government contracts, awards or being included in any discussions related to criminal threats in America. Let’s be clear, SPLC is an organization that engages in political hit jobs and is not a credible watchdog.”

SOURCE