Don't Give Trump This Much Power
This is potentially a massive, dangerous power grab by the Trump Administration
As a 501(c)4 non-profit org, DemCast is watching this one very closely. We would appreciate your advocacy on this. Previous votes on this bill have garnered Democratic support…
The vote on this bill is slated for TOMORROW (Thursday, 11/21).
From our friends at ACLU:
This week the House is expected to again vote on H.R. 9495, the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act. The ACLU urges you to oppose this legislation when it comes up again, and will score this vote.
The legislation is opposed by over 160 groups, including ACLU, Brennan Center, AFL-CIO, Planned Parenthood, Public Citizen, AFT, NEA, LCV, CAP, Indivisible, NAACP, Reproductive Freedom for All, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and National Women’s Law Center (see letter here).
Please also see a new op-ed from the ACLU detailing our concerns.
H.R. 9495 would grant Donald Trump unilateral power to investigate and effectively shut down any tax-exempt organization based on a unilateral accusation of wrongdoing. Given the results of the election now is not the time give the executive branch new broad and easily abused powers that Trump could use to suppress the views of those he views as his political enemies.
While on its face the legislation purports to strip the tax status of nonprofits that provide material support to terrorist organizations, in reality it lacks due process, has a number of unintended consequences, and is ripe for abuse. What’s more, as this CRS report makes clear, nonprofit organizations are already prohibited from providing broadly-defined “material support” to foreign terrorist organizations, with severe criminal and civil penalties for violations.
These chilling effects could be immense. Any organization that criticizes government policies or powerful interests could potentially have its tax-exempt status stripped away arbitrarily by a designation that it is “terrorist supporting.” The supposed "safeguards" are a façade of due process - they would provide no practical protection against an executive branch led by Donald Trump intent on exploiting this authority to effectively shut down organizations it disagrees with.
Finally, the provisions of the bill preventing the IRS from imposing fines and fees on hostages while they are held abroad have already cleared the Senate unanimously. The fastest way to ensure they become law is for them to move on their own. Some more resources regarding the bill can be found below.
Washington Post: U.S. hostages still owe taxes. Congress might not help.
The Hill: A disturbing national security bill could silence nonprofits and college protests.
New York Times: What Part of Civil Society Will Trump’s Party Target Next?
New Republic: This Bipartisan Bill Could Give Trump Huge Power Against His Enemies.
Semafor: Progressive donors and funders fear Trump investigations
The Intercept: Congress Is About to Gift Trump Sweeping Powers to Crush His Political Enemies
Rolling Stone: House Fast Tracks Bill That Would Give Trump Power to Target Nonprofits
The Intercept: House GOP Moves to Ram Through Bill That Gives Trump Unilateral Power to Kill Nonprofits
Please contact your House Rep by clicking this graphic:
I don't understand how any of the members of the Democratic Party in Congress can support this. The international rightwing movement in all its various nationalist iterations have nonprofits in their cross hairs. We must do everything we can to protect them.
I think it's a little Late, but my fingers are crossed. Thank You, Nick, Good article this evening and will reStack ASAP 💯👍