www.votervoice.net/EPISCOPAL/Campaigns/119094/Respond![]()
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The U.S. House is reviving a bill that would give the executive branch broad authority to rescind the tax-exempt status of nonprofit organizations that it disagrees with through H.R. 9495, the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act. The bill failed to advance out of the House last week, but leadership is fast-tracking it through committee and to another vote. The second vote would only require a simple majority to pass, a threshold that was reached during the first vote that required a two-thirds majority.![]()
This bill would allow the Secretary of Treasury to designate an organization as “terrorist-supporting” at her or his sole discretion. An organization given that designation would lose its tax-exempt status. Current U.S. law already prohibits tax-exempt nonprofits from supporting terrorism, making the law unnecessary. It is written so broadly that it could be misused to target any number of religious, humanitarian, or other charitable organizations if the administration disagrees with their work. Supporters claim that affected nonprofits can appeal the Secretary’s decision, but the government can reference classified material in making its designation, leaving an organization in the dark about how to defend itself. ![]()
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The House specifically links this legislation to a series of hearings it has held investigating universities and nonprofit groups who are supportive of Palestinian rights and humanitarian efforts in Gaza. This strongly signals that organizations that take those positions could be targeted by this law – including organizations that choose to nonviolently boycott or pursue divestment strategies. The Episcopal Church General Convention has passed a resolution opposing any measures to penalize organizations that choose to pursue boycotts and divestment in support of human rights in Israel and Palestine.![]()
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But this would also have a chilling effect on human rights organizations that work on behalf of the vulnerable in other regions where violence or terrorism activity is prevalent, like Haiti, Yemen, Sudan, and Honduras. Domestic organizations would also be impacted if a Treasury Secretary takes advantage of the overly broad definition of “material support” for terrorism in the legislation. As Episcopalians, we believe that prophetic witness against injustice, even and perhaps especially when it is politically contentious, is a calling of the gospel, and we oppose efforts that would curtail such witness.![]()
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H.R. 9495 also threatens the very existence of some of the vital nonprofit organizations that the vulnerable rely on. Changes to tax-deduction policy in 2017 resulted in a $20 billion annual decrease in donations, according to economic research. Nonprofits would be forced to make difficult decisions about how to maintain vital programming and support staffers’ continued employment with fewer resources.![]()
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This bill would infringe on freedom of speech rights and suppress activism and advocacy efforts on contentious issues. Over 150 civil society organizations have joined together in opposing H.R. 9495, and we ask you to add your voice. Contact your House members today and urge them to vote NO on this dangerous legislation.![]()
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Additional Resources ![]()
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Congress’s crackdown on ‘terrorist supporting organizations’ threatens nonprofit news: Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press![]()
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Episcopal Church Resolutions![]()
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2022-C013: Oppose Legislation that Penalizes Non-Violent Boycotts or Divestitures![]()
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EC 102002.11: Reaffirmation of Resolution to Act on Public Policy Issues![]()
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2012-A079: Urge Defense of Human Rights and Communities Unduly Affected
Protect Our Right to Stand Up for Justice
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The U.S. House is reviving a bill that would give the executive branch broad authority to rescind the tax-exempt status of nonprofit organizations that it disagrees with through H.R. 9495, the Stop Te...
Weekly newsletter from Emmanuel Church.![]()
Click here; - mailchi.mp/orcasepiscopal/nov-17-2024![]()
This Sunday we will focus on the story of Hannah and her prayer
📰 November 10, 2024 newsletter from Emmanuel - mailchi.mp/orcasepiscopal/nov-10-17583089
I recently learned, with sadness, of the death of the Rev. Michael Dowd. Michael came to Emmanuel several years ago to give a presentation on eco-theology to a packed Parish Hall. His "Post-Doom No Gloom" message was such a beautiful one of living with awe, gratitude, and generosity amid chaos and breakdowns. He preached with his life that Post-doom is: "What opens up when we remember who we are and how we got here, accept the inevitable, honor our grief, and prioritize what is pro-future and soul-nourishing. It is a fierce and fearless reverence for life and expansive gratitude — even in the midst of abrupt climate mayhem and the runaway collapse of societal harmony, the health of the biosphere, and business as usual. It is living meaningfully, compassionately, and courageously no matter what." ![]()
His work, kept by his widow, Connie Barlow, can be seen on the webpage postdoom.com/ Check out his many videos.![]()
I share here his last sermon, preached at a Unitarian Universalist congregation two months before his sudden death and just days after his father's death. I pray that his message inspires us to "Be the Calm in the Storm." youtu.be/le1TzMsGXkg?si=Oy2uio-_CIGpGkwV![]()
Fr. Berto+