Preventing Terrorism or War on Non-Profits?

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

As tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East, recent changes have been made within the United States on the situation happening between Israel and Palestine. 

H.R. 9495, considered a controversial bill among the common people, was introduced to the House twice. The House passed on September 9th, 2024 with 219 Yeas to 184 Nays on November 21, 2024. It had previously failed to pass on November 12th, only having 256 yeas and 145 nays, unable to meet the 2/3rd threshold. 

Through this implementation, it would allow a means of change to be enacted upon Chapter 77 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, specifically after the component of section 7510. 

The Sponsor Behind the Bill 

The sponsor behind this bill was Representative Claudia Tenney, in which she represents District 24 of New York, from 2023 to present day. Prior to this bill, she has introduced bills to Congress in which were related to the congressional budget and prohibiting certain funding actions. Unrelated to these topics, she has introduced other controversial bills, in which it has stirred conversation among those across the political spectrum.

Aside from Representative Tenney’s work, considering the build up of the climate in the United States that led to the proposal of this bill.

The United States has been involved in an extensive history with the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) since 1983, extending all the way to our present day. 

Why is this bill so controversial? 

The bill is meant to postpone tax-filing deadlines for United States nationals who are wrongfully detained abroad, held hostage, and a refund of tax penalties. 

However, the component that has caused major controversy among the public was that it would remove tax-exempt status for any terrorist-supporting organizations. In theory, it serves a useful purpose but many opponents to this bill has claimed that this has been a retaliation against Pro-Palestinian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and a threat to free speech as a whole. 

The bill would grant the Secretary of the Treasury the power to investigate and shut down any tax-exempt organization. Under this category, news outlets, universities, civil rights organizations, and more would lose their tax-exempt status if suspected of any connections with terrorism or wrongdoing. 

The Role of the First Amendment: Is this applicable? 

The description of the bill itself has been described as broad and vague, opening up the doors towards abuse of power towards minority groups focusing on all sorts of policy. It has also been argued that it will polarize the nonprofit sector and slowly dismantle fundamental freedoms. 

The role of the First Amendment that could play into this is that the bill could be canceled if argued that it violates the portion that states, “prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble.”

 However, many advocates say that the chances of it passing in the Senate are less likely than in the House. The first component of the bill, referring to tax-deadline exemptions, may succeed in a separate bill. 

It can easily be changed when the Senate makes a decision about H.R. 9495.

Other Related Historical Components

Talks have been codified in policy prohibiting negotiations with the PLO since August 8th, 1984, essentially paving a road map of historical policies to take place in the United States. 

For example, the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, which prohibited the U.S. 's funds for the United Nations or any related agencies that grant the PLO the recognition of a state or the equivalent to it. This would be before the Oslo Accords, marking the launch of negotiations between Israel and the PLO, which took place on September 13, 1993. 

From there, there has been an implementation of other laws that have been related and showcasing the same ideals that are presented in the bill. 

The history behind the United States involvement in implementing laws promoting the deterrence of funding from organizations that pose a threat and in which acts counter to the interests of the government. The historical intersection of global politics outside of the U.S and how those within our government and other external entities have always been prevalent in this regard, showcasing the importance of understanding all players at hand and penetrating interests at play. 

Conclusion 

Even though H.R 9495 is still in progress of possibly being passed, there are still components at play for it to be prevented. There is a lot of play when considering how a bill will be passed and how the bill will affect the general population. Seeing how this bill would play out shows how pivotal understanding our representatives and using our rights to combat or promote what we want implemented in our society.

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