UU The Vote

1 December 2024
Monthly Theme: Divine Light

Dear Beloveds,

H.R. 9495 could allow the federal executive to investigate, harass, and, in effect, shutter any nonprofit organization based on unilateral accusations of wrongdoing. It provides a poorly checked opportunity to strip them of their tax-exempt status and thus dismantle a civil society entity. This includes news outlets, universities, and civil liberties organizations.

Please consider using the below script when contacting your representatives:

“As your constituent, I ask you to withhold support for H.R. 9495 and consider the ramifications for civil society actors, including houses of worship, in their character as nonprofit organizations. As a person of faith motivated by Unitarian Universalist values, I urge you to conduct further due diligence and clearly understand how the powers contemplated in this bill might be used to thwart civil society review of government acts, policies, and decisions—or the practice of cherished liberties, even religious liberties.

Our executive branch already has robust authority to forbid transactions with individuals and entities connected to terrorism. Nonprofit organizations are already prohibited from providing material support to terrorist organizations. 

In contrast, if this bill became law, the Secretary of the Treasury could strip a U.S. nonprofit of its tax-exempt status without providing a meaningful opportunity for defense. Further, the legislation does not require disclosing all the reasons for the Treasury’s decision or the evidence relied upon for that determination. Nor would the government be required to provide any evidence in its possession that might undermine its own decision to act. 

These features seem like a secret court, leaving an accused nonprofit entirely in the dark about what conduct the government believes qualifies as material support. Our civil society institutions should not be subject to secret proceedings that could not stand up to public scrutiny. Otherwise, our civil society lacks due process and transparency, undermining free speech and our power to govern ourselves. 

James Madison said: “A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.”

That is one cornerstone of our liberty I cherish.

I ask you to withhold support for H.R. 9495 until you are sure it will not be used against those exercising protected forms of speech and legitimate advocacy.”

Take Action: Call (preferable) or email your House Representative and demand they vote “No” on HR 9495.

Sincerely,

Janet L, President