Issues
Representative Claudia Tenney (R-NY) sponsored H.R. 9495, the so-called Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act, which would give the secretary of the Treasury total decision-making power to designate terrorism aiding organizations and revoke tax exempt status, while also eliminating due process for accused non-profit organizations. Concentrating this power in one, politically-appointed position would increase the risk of these authorities being abused and weaponized against nonprofit groups, particularly those that may be critical of the federal administration or political party in power. Threatening civil society is a threat to our democracy. Furthermore, there are already well-functioning rules and processes that forbid and hold accountable any non-profit organization aiding terrorism. On November 21, the House approved H.R. 9495 by a vote of 219-184 (House roll call vote 477). NO IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE. The Senate took no action on this legislation.