CLC Responds to the House Passing H.R. 9495, Legislation That Could Punish Nonprofits with Dissenting Views

Washington, D.C. — Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass H.R.9495, the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act. This legislation grants the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury Department the right to revoke the tax-exempt status of nonprofit organizations with views that political leaders may oppose — with little to no recourse for these organizations.  Campaign Legal Center (CLC) has previously expressed concerns with this legislation, given its potential to be used by the government to sanction organizations with dissenting views. Trevor Potter — CLC’s president — issued the following statement in response:  

“Campaign Legal Center (CLC) strongly opposes H.R. 9495, a dangerous bill that could be used to silence dissent and suppress the views of those President-elect Donald Trump — or any future president — believes to be political enemies. We urge the Senate to kill this bill that could silence dissenting voices and punish groups that do important work to make America a more perfect union.”

Read more about the implications of H.R. 9495 here.