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US HOUSE URGED TO STOP BILL ENABLING TRUMP TO ATTACK NONPROFITS  
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Jessica Corbett
November 11, 2024
Common Dreams
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_ "The bill could usher in repression on a massive scale," one critic
warned. _

, PBS

 

The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote
soon on legislation that would further empower President-elect Donald
Trump [[link removed]], who won
[[link removed]] a new term
last week after fear-mongering about the so-called
[[link removed]] "enemy
from within" and vowing
[[link removed]] to "root
out" people he described as "radical left thugs that live like vermin
within the confines of our country."

Nonprofits and rights advocates are sounding the alarm about H.R.
9495 [[link removed]],
or the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages
Act. The bill would provide tax relief for U.S. nationals and their
spouses who are unlawfully or wrongfully detained or held hostage
abroad but also includes legislation
[[link removed]] to
terminate the tax-exempt status of "terrorist-supporting" groups.

A version of the section targeting groups accused of backing terrorism
previously passed
[[link removed]] the
House but stalled
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the Democrat-held Senate. As legal scholar Maryam Jamshidi explained
[[link removed]] on social media
Monday, "The cynical move is intended to coerce Congress to pass the
501(c)(3) bill because no one wants to be seen as opposing tax breaks
for U.S. hostages/prisoners abroad."

While the bill has long been on the radar of organizations like the
ACLU—which led a diverse coalition that spoke out
[[link removed]] against
it in September—the recent election results, Trump's campaign
promises, and the upcoming vote are sparking fresh concerns.

"As soon as tomorrow, the House will vote on a bill that would give
the incoming Trump administration a new tool they could use to stifle
free speech, target political opponents, and punish groups that
disagree with them," the ACLU said
[[link removed]] on social media
Monday. "This broad, vague bill is an open invitation for abuse. Tell
your representatives to vote NO on H.R. 9495."

The ACLU highlighted reporting by _The Intercept_, which on
Sunday detailed
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the legislation would work:

Under the bill, the Treasury secretary would issue notice to a group
of intent to designate it as a "terrorist-supporting organization."
Once notified, an organization would have the right to appeal within
90 days, after which it would be stripped of its 501(c)(3) status,
named for the statute that confers tax exemptions on recognized
nonprofit groups.

The law would not require officials to explain the reason for
designating a group, nor does it require the Treasury Department to
provide evidence.

"It basically empowers the Treasury secretary to target any group it
wants to call them a terror supporter and block their ability to be a
nonprofit," said Ryan Costello, policy director at the National
Iranian American Council Action, which opposes the law. "So that would
essentially kill any nonprofit's ability to function. They couldn't
get banks to service them, they won't be able to get donations, and
there'd be a black mark on the organization, even if it cleared its
name."

The bill is widely seen as an attempt to silence fierce critics of
U.S. support for Israel's ongoing slaughter and starvation of
Palestinians in the Gaza
[[link removed]] Strip, which has led to a
genocide case against the Israeli government at the International
Court of Justice. However, Costello warned that "the danger is much
broader than just groups that work on foreign policy."

"It could target major liberal funders who support Palestinian
solidarity and peace groups who engage in protest. But it could also
theoretically be used to target pro-choice groups, and I could see it
being used against environmental groups," he said. "It really would be
at the discretion of the Trump administration as to who they target,
with very little recourse for the targeted organization."

Bend the Arc: Jewish Action similarly stressed
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media Monday that "this bill would grant Donald Trump unilateral power
to investigate and effectively shut down any tax-exempt organization
based on a unilateral accusation of wrongdoing—without any
explanation required."

"The House must vote no on H.R. 9495," Bend the Arc argued. "It is
critical that we are able to organize and that we have a robust
nonprofit sector that represents our needs and our interests to the
government. This will be a necessary tool against the harms threatened
by the second Trump presidency."

Beth Miller, political director of Jewish Voice for Peace Action, said
in a statement that "this bill should be a five-alarm fire for anyone
who seeks to protect free speech, civil society, and democracy. This
bill is part of a broader MAGA assault on the right to protest that
begins with attacks on Palestinian rights groups, and is aimed at
outlawing the social justice movements that fight for progressive
change. This is part of a well-worn authoritarian playbook to
dismantle fundamental freedoms."

Describing the legislation as "terrifying," _Ajam Media
Collective_ editor Alex Shams said
[[link removed]] Monday that
"the bill could usher in repression on a massive scale."

The threat extends to media organizations like _Common Dreams_.
Freedom of the Press Foundation—whose director of advocacy, Seth
Stern, wrote
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the legislation for _The Intercept_ in May—declared
[[link removed]] Monday that
"this bill is a serious threat to nonprofit news outlets and Trump is
sure to abuse these powers if given the chance."

"The threat is far more dire in light of the election," the foundation
added. "Tell your representative to stop H.R. 9495 today."

_Jessica Corbett is a senior editor and staff writer for Common
Dreams._

* Donald Trump
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* Political repression
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* Repressive legislation
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* House of Representatives
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