This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.

Last month the House of Representatives voted to pass the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act (H.R. 9495), which would give the Secretary of the Treasury the ability to effectively shut down nonprofits if it's decided they are “terrorist-supporting” organizations. Tell the Senate not to pass this dangerous bill!

Part of the bill applies to non-profits as it will terminate the tax-exempt status of “terrorist-supporting” organizations and, alarmingly, it would allow the government to designate any nonprofit as a terrorist-supporting organization and then require the organization to demonstrate otherwise to avoid its tax-exempt status being revoked.

The bill is deemed anti-terrorism legislation, but all nonprofits should be concerned about the potential effects of it on their tax-exempt status.

This bill passed in the U.S. House of Representatives 219-184, with Republicans in support and Democrats opposing, yet 15 Democrats voted in favor of it. While the bill includes worthy provisions for tax relief for American hostages, it threatens nonprofit operations and undermines democratic values. These provisions should be separated into their own bill that doesn't include danger to nonprofits. H.R 9495 would not only grant the Treasury Secretary the ability to label organizations as “terrorist supporting” and strip their tax-exempt status, but it would be allowed to occur without evidence, direct links, or disclosure of reason.

Furthermore, it places the burden of proof on the accused organizations and allows only 90 days to demonstrate their innocence before invalidating their tax-exempt status. This overly broad and unnecessary bill would have a chilling effect on free speech and advocacy and allow the government to abuse its powers and target political opponents.

This bill would prove dangerous for In Defense of Animals and other animal protection organizations. Act now to urge the Senate to kill H.R. 9495 and ensure that nonprofits are not only protected but treated justly in Congress.

Letter to Decision Maker(s) for reference:

Subject: Oppose H.R. 9495 to Protect Non-Profit Organizations

As one of over 250,000 supporters of In Defense of Animals, I urge you to vote no on H.R. 9495 to protect nonprofit organizations from being wrongly categorized as terrorist organizations and stripped of their tax-exempt status. Nonprofits are essential to communities across the country and their work is crucial and highly valuable. Please stop this dangerous bill from harming these organizations which are greatly needed in our country.

While the bill includes worthy provisions for tax relief for American hostages, it threatens nonprofit operations and undermines democratic values. These provisions should be separated into their own bill that doesn’t include danger to nonprofits. H.R. 9495 would not only grant the Treasury Secretary the ability to label organizations as “terrorist-supporting” and strip their tax-exempt status, but it would be allowed to occur without evidence, direct links, or disclosure of reason. 

Furthermore, it places the burden of proof on the accused organizations and allows only 90 days to demonstrate their innocence before invalidating their tax-exempt status.

I urge you to do everything in your power to defeat H.R. 9495 to thus ensure that nonprofits are not only protected, but treated justly in Congress.

Sincerely,

Signed

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.