The work of our nonprofits is currently under attack. Have you heard of bill H.R. 9495? It is a bill that includes, buried deep, a way for the government to terminate the tax-exempt status of any nonprofit speaking up about social justice by designating it a "terrorist-supporting organization."
Nonprofits in the coming decades are going to be even more important to the support of our civil liberties, as well as filling the gaps created by a government that is reducing support for social security, healthcare, and equity.
Here are some things you can do immediately (excerpted from Vu Le and his urgent nonprofitaf.com post)
YOU CAN HELP DEFEAT this bill with 2 easy actions BEFORE THIS THURSDAY:
(1) Join 35,000 Americans who have signed the petition against H.R. 9495. Sign now: https://lnkd.in/gAupWREr
(2) Call the 52 Democrats who voted FOR the bill last week to urge them to vote NO this Thursday!
Look below to see if you are represented by one of these 52 Democrats who voted YES.
Call or email their Capitol Hill office every day through Thursday 11/21/24!
Dial the Capitol Switchboard to be connected to your Rep’s office: (202) 224-3121.
If you or your board members or donors have relationships with them or their staff, reach out personally!
Be authentic and passionate. There is a script available below you can work from
Here are the 52 Democrats Who Voted YES on 9495 Last Week:
AZ: Greg Stanton (AZ-4)
CA: Jim Costa (CA-21); Josh Harder (CA-9); Mike Levin (CA-49); Jimmy Panetta (CA-19); Adam Schiff (CA-30); Brad Sherman (CA-32); Norma Torres (CA-35); Juan Vargas (CA-52), Jahana Hayes (CA-5)
CO: Yadira Caraveo (CO-8)
FL: Kathy Castor (FL-14); Lois Frankel (FL-22); Jared Moskowitz (FL-23); Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25)
GA: Lucy McBath (GA-7)
HI: Ed Case (HI-1)
IL: Nikki Budzinski (IL-13); Brad Schneider (IL-10); Eric Sorensen (IL-17)
IN: Frank Mrvan (IN-1)
KS: Sharice Davids (KS-3)
MD: Steny Hoyer (MD-5)
ME: Jared Golden (ME-2)
MI: Hillary Scholten (MI-3); Elissa Slotkin (MI-7); Haley Stevens (MI-11); Shri Thanedar (MI-13); Debbie Dingell (MI-6)
MN: Angie Craig (MN-2)
NC: Kathy Manning (NC-6)
NH: Chris Pappas (NH-1)
NJ: Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5); Donald Norcross (NJ-1); Frank Pallone (NJ-6)
NM: Gabe Vasquez (NM-2)
NV: Susie Lee (NV-3)
NY: Grace Meng (NY-6); Pat Ryan (NY-18); Tom Suozzi (NY-3); Ritchie Torres (NY-15)
OH: Marcy Kaptur (OH-9); Greg Landsman (OH-1); Emilia Sykes (OH-13)
TX: Colin Allred (TX-32); Henry Cuellar (TX-28); Jasmine Crockett (TX-30); Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15)
WA: Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-3); Kim Schrier (WA-8); Marilyn Strickland (WA-10)
WI: Gwen Moore (WI-4)
Template Script to Oppose H.R. 9495:
Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I’m a constituent from [City/State]. I’m calling to urge you to oppose H.R. 9495, the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act, scheduled for a vote later today.
This bill poses a direct threat to nonprofits by granting the Treasury Secretary unchecked power to label organizations as “terrorist supporting” and strip their tax-exempt status. Even worse, this can happen without evidence, intentional links, or any requirement to disclose the reasons for the designation. The lack of due process and accountability leaves nonprofits defenseless against vague and potentially politically motivated accusations.
While the bill includes provisions for tax relief for American hostages—a noble cause—this should not come at the expense of jeopardizing nonprofit operations and democratic values. These provisions should be separated into their own bill that doesn’t include the unchecked harm to nonprofits.
Please oppose H.R. 9495 to protect nonprofits and the communities they serve. Thank you for your time and consideration.
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