McCollum Vote on H.R. 9495, Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 9495, the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act.  

This legislation would grant the Secretary of the Treasury the unilateral authority to suspend the tax-exempt status of any organization deemed “terrorist supporting” without due process or evidence. U.S. law already prohibits nonprofits from providing material support to terrorists.  Additionally, I am deeply concerned about how this legislation could provide President-elect Trump’s incoming administration with unchecked power to cause irreparable damage to any nonprofit he deems a threat to his own political agenda. This could be disastrous for nonprofits across the country, including those doing important work in the Fourth District like Springboard for the Arts, the Playwrights’ Center, and the Center for Victims of Torture. More than 120 civil society groups – including the ACLU, the American Federation of Teachers, the NAACP, and the League of Conservation Voters – signed a letter opposing this bill due to the potential for abuse. I have submitted this letter accompany my statement. I stand with them, and I encourage my colleagues to do the same. 

Thank you and I yield back.