The “Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act” H.R. 9495 seeks to protect Americans held by terrorists overseas from censure by the IRS as long as they are in no position to attend to their taxes. However an entirely different piece of legislation (H.R. 6408) has now been added as an amendment. This grants power to the President to instruct the Secretary of the Treasury to revoke the 501(c)(3) nonprofit status of any organization found to “support terrorism”, absent of any substantive investigation or evidence, and without oversight. This is executive over-reach and runs counter to the principle of free expression.

“Support of terrorism” is precisely the baseless accusation leveled at so  many of the cartoonists we’ve advocated for in the past, most recently Ashraf Omar in Egypt. If we in turn support them, as is our duty, then we potentially become liable.

H.R. 9495 was narrowly defeated last week. But the bill has bipartisan support. See below the Democrats who voted in favor. It’s doubly important they hear from voters this week, telling them to vote against. (On the other side of the aisle, all but one Republican were in favor, so if you live in a red district, call your congressperson!)

Any civil or human rights non-profit working in the USA and especially those concerned with people overseas will see their fundamental freedom of expression restricted and efficacy curtailed if H.R. 9495 passes into law. Indeed, many will have to reconsider their future operations. We urge you to help us stop the bill in its tracks.