Hawaii Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations’ Post

The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that would give the Treasury Dept. authority to strip the tax-exempt status of nonprofit organizations it claims support terrorism. According to the Congressional Research Service, the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act would create a new category of “terrorist supporting organizations.” Any organization the Treasury Secretary designates as having provided material support to a terrorist organization in the past three years may fall under the new category. Nonprofits that could be affected include unions, private foundations and membership organizations. It’s unclear if the bill will pass in the Senate. #TaxExemptStatus #NonprofitCompliance #LegislationUpdate #StopTerrorFinancing #TreasuryDepartment #TaxPolicy #NonprofitOrganizations #IRSCompliance #AmericanHostages #PolicyWatch

The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that would give the Treasury Dept. authority to strip the tax-exempt status of nonprofit organizations it claims support terrorism. According to the Congressional Research Service, the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act would create a new category of “terrorist supporting organizations.” Any organization the Treasury Secretary designates as having provided material support to a terrorist organization in the past three years may fall under the new category. Nonprofits that could be affected include unions, private foundations and membership organizations. It’s unclear if the bill will pass in the Senate. #TaxExemptStatus #NonprofitCompliance #LegislationUpdate #StopTerrorFinancing #TreasuryDepartment #TaxPolicy #NonprofitOrganizations #IRSCompliance #AmericanHostages #PolicyWatch

The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that would give the Treasury Dept. authority to strip the tax-exempt status of nonprofit organizations it claims support terrorism. According to the Congressional Research Service, the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act would create a new category of “terrorist supporting organizations.” Any organization the Treasury Secretary designates as having provided material support to a terrorist organization in the past three years may fall under the new category. Nonprofits that could be affected include unions, private foundations and membership organizations. It’s unclear if the bill will pass in the Senate. #TaxExemptStatus #NonprofitCompliance #LegislationUpdate #StopTerrorFinancing #TreasuryDepartment #TaxPolicy #NonprofitOrganizations #IRSCompliance #AmericanHostages #PolicyWatch

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This has some pretty massive implications for the nonprofit sector. In reality, we already have provisions in the 501 section of the revenue code that allows for the suspension of status for terrorist organizations. This bill would not require officials to explain the reason for designating a group a terrorist organization, nor does it require the Treasury Department to provide evidence. It gives broad power to the Treasury Secretary to determine who can function as a 501 c 3 and who can't. Making it a perfect breeding ground for playing political football with our 3rd sector. In addition, this language was attached to a "good bill" so it could sneak in...and I find that really frustrating. (I find it fascinating that the most detailed and easy to follow source for this is Rolling Stone! The full text of the bill can be found here: https://lnkd.in/ggXXXzj9) https://lnkd.in/gh_CxSV8

Call Your Representatives!! Oppose H.R. 9495!!! Joint statement from Council on Foundations, Independent Sector, National Council of Nonprofits, and United Philanthropy Forum: The above mentioned express opposition to Section 4 of H.R.9495 and its predecessor, H.R.6408. This legislation as drafted creates redundancies and confusion while providing the executive branch with expansive new abusive authority. This legislation would allow nonprofits to be declared as “terrorist supporting organizations” at the Secretary’s discretion, without requiring the Secretary to share full evidence or reasoning with the accused. Furthermore, the legislation runs counter to constitutional due process protections by placing the burden of proof on the accused organization and providing only 90 days for organizations to demonstrate their innocence before revoking their tax-exempt status. We already have laws against funding terrorism, this addition is a dangerous move to silence and delete nonprofits with opposing views of the Administration. Have you every disagreed with your government and voiced your opinion on the capital steps? I have. Does that make me a terrorist, HECK NO!

H.R. 9495 isn't just another bill. It's a potential weapon. And it could be aimed right at your nonprofit. Let me break this down: Immigration nonprofits providing basic human services? Could be labeled as "supporting terrorism." Public radio sharing diverse viewpoints? Could be accused of "promoting dangerous narratives." Seems extreme? That's exactly what makes it dangerous. The bill's vague language creates a perfect storm: Broad interpretations Limited oversight Massive consequences Think about it: Immigration groups helping at-risk populations could be flagged. A food bank helping refugees could be shut down for "material support." A radio station could lose funding for "suspicious content." or reporting roadblocks looking for immigrants. We need to keep due process in this serious designation. What can you do? Read the bill Understand its implications Contact your representatives Rally your supporters https://lnkd.in/gUhN5C85 ty Independent Sector, ACLU, National Council of Nonprofits

As we approach a critical juncture in our preparation for 2024, Congress is on the verge of a crucial step toward progress, underscored by a collective determination to avoid a government shutdown. Yet, amidst this forward momentum, we find ourselves at a crossroads, with discussions on policy and budget allocations, particularly for Homeland Security, needing more clarity. Senator Chris Murphy has highlighted the concerted efforts of our lawmakers to bridge these divides, striving to avoid a scenario where we simply extend last year's funding levels. It's a moment that calls for the kind of unity and bipartisan cooperation that transcends politics, reminding us that at the heart of our efforts is a shared commitment to safeguarding and advancing the well-being of every American. #Progress Donate https://bit.ly/3T6UfkD #BeThe1st

All of us working in the nonprofit sector are urged to contact our member of Congress to oppose H.R. 9495, a bill that would give the Secretary of the Treasury unilateral power to strip nonprofit status from any 501(c) organization deemed a "terrorist supporting organization" at the Secretary's discretion. The House is set to vote on this bill Thursday, and it has received favorable votes in the past from both Democrats and Republicans. Urgent and united action is needed! H.R. 9495 poses significant risks to nonprofits by removing constitutional due process protections. Under this bill, the Secretary of the Treasury would gain extraordinary powers, placing the burden of proof on nonprofits to prove their innocence—a nearly impossible task. Even an unproven accusation could cause irreparable harm to a nonprofit's reputation and viability. Organizations providing humanitarian aid in conflict zones and those exercising their constitutionally protected rights to free speech on international conflicts could be affected. It is already illegal to provide material support to foreign terrorist organizations. Giving the Secretary of the Treasury unilateral power to revoke tax-exempt status without due process is unnecessary and dangerous. Take action to oppose H.R. 9495.

We are deeply concerned about a troubling piece of legislation currently under consideration in Congress: H.R. 9495. -- a bill posing a significant threat to nonprofit organizations across the country, including those dedicated to serving vulnerable communities. 📄 What is H.R. 9495? This legislation would grant the government sweeping authority to label any nonprofit as a "terrorist supporting organization." Once designated, nonprofits would have just 90 days to prove their innocence to avoid losing their tax-exempt status. This shift in the burden of proof is alarming and sets a dangerous precedent that could be exploited for political purposes. Who Could Be Affected❓ The potential impact of H.R. 9495 extends far beyond those directly involved in counter-terrorism efforts. From Reproductive Health organizations to Humanitarian Aid Charities, non-profits that represent at-risk populations can be flagged for their "anti-government" actions and sentiments. This poses a major risk to free speech and activism for people in need. 🗣️ Take Action Now! The House of Representatives is expected to vote on H.R. 9495 this Wednesday, and we need your voice to help protect our vital services. Here’s how you can take action: ✊ Oppose the Bill: Visit the IS Action Center at https://lnkd.in/eiNZxvy2 to oppose H.R. 9495. 📞 Call Your Representative: Urge them to vote NO on this bill. 📱 Engage on Social Media: Raise awareness and tag your representatives! While H.R. 9495 includes provisions aimed at providing tax relief for American hostages—a noble cause—this should not come at the expense of jeopardizing humanitarian operations and democratic values. At BiSHoP, we stand with our fellow nonprofits in opposing this bill and urge you to join us in advocating for justice, accountability, and the protection of our communities. Together, we can make our voices heard! 💪❤️ #ProtectNonprofits #HR9495 #NonprofitAdvocacy #FreeSpeech #CommunitySupport