The Biden transition team sent a grassroots fundraising plea to its supporter list on Friday, with the email stating, "Without ascertainment, we need to fund the transition ourselves, and that's why we're reaching out to you today." Congressionally appropriated transition funding is one of several key resources the Biden transition team is unable to tap into without ascertainment. The money allows for the incoming administration to fund its transition efforts, including paying for its staff and agency review teams. The transition team started its private fundraising efforts in June and has raised more than $10 million for the process so far, a source familiar with the fundraising efforts said. But the email sent Friday represents a new phase in the team's fundraising process as it is now turning to grassroots donors in their push.

Source: The Nation November 20, 2020 23:00 UTC