HR9495 (AKA, the non-profit killer bill)
- Kylie B.
- Jan 4
- 3 min read
What's the short version of this issue?
Since October 7, 2023, pro-Palestine protests have erupted across the world. One of the many responses of the US government was to push through a bill (HR9495, officially called the "Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act and passed by the House on November 22, 2024) that would grant the executive branch new powers to shut down US-based nonprofits that the executive branch decides is funding terrorism and terrorist organizations.
Where can I learn more about this issue?
Congress.gov's website: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/9495
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU): https://action.aclu.org/send-message/dissent
USA Today article: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2024/11/21/treasury-secretary-house-bill-nonprofit-organization/76468156007/
Why do I care about this, and why should you?
Although it's very important to combat terror financing, this bill was written in an incredibly problematic way. As it stands, this bill:
doesn't provide an explicit definition of what terror financing is/looks like for nonprofits, which means that the government will be able to arbitrarily and without evidence say which nonprofits are funding terrorism and should thus be dismantled.
is a violation of the First Amendment/our right to freedom of speech.
entirely lacks transparency and accountability.
threatens the US' ability to combat actual terrorism and will not actually address or combat terror financing.
was designed as a way to silence dissent from pro-Palestinian protests and organizations (which is in and of itself despicable) but will also risk silencing ALL nonprofit organizations.
What actions can be taken?
Call and/or write to your elected congressional officials (US Representatives and US Senators). Samples of email/letter template are below and can be used as a phone script.
Who are my elected officials and how do I contact them?
Using your address, you can use this website to look up who your elected officials are as well as their contact information: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials
Email/letter templates
The ACLU has a great webform that you can submit that will automatically message your US Senators, here: https://action.aclu.org/send-message/dissent
My letter template is below:
Dear Senator <insert Senator's name>,
My name is <insert your name> and I'm a resident of <insert your city/state>. I am writing to you today to express my grave concern about HR9495, also known as the "Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act." While I firmly believe that combating terror financing is essential, this bill raises serious red flags that threaten our civil liberties and could ultimately be detrimental to national security.
Passed by the House on November 22nd, 2024, HR9495 would grant the executive branch sweeping new powers to shut down US-based nonprofits suspected of funding terrorism. The bill's problematic aspects include:
Lack of Transparency and Due Process: HR9495 fails to provide a clear definition of what constitutes "terror financing" by a nonprofit organization. This ambiguity grants the government unchecked authority to designate groups as terrorism funding entities--regardless of whether there is any evidence--effectively silencing dissent.
Violation of First Amendment Rights: The bill's vague language poses a significant threat to First Amendment protections. The right to freedom of speech extends to non-profit organizations, and HR9495 could be weaponized to suppress criticism of the government or unpopular viewpoints.
Ineffectiveness in Combating Terrorism: HR9495 is unlikely to achieve its prescribed goal of disrupting terror financing.
Potential to Stifle Dissent: The bill's origins in response to pro-Palestine activism raise serious concerns. HR9495 could be a stepping stone towards suppressing legitimate dissent from a wide range of groups, not just those advocating for Palestinian rights.
I urge you to strongly consider the potential consequences of HR9495 before allowing it to progress. National security is paramount, but it should not come at the expense of our fundamental freedoms. As my Senator, I ask that you block this bill from being brought up for a vote in the Senate, and instead pursue solutions that effectively target terror financing without infringing upon civil liberties. If HR9495 does end up being up for a vote, you must vote "no."
Thank you for your time and consideration.
<insert your name>
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