1. United States
2. Fla.
3. Letter

I urge opposition to H.R. 9495, the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act. While providing relief to Americans wrongfully detained abroad is a worthy goal, this bill also contains highly concerning provisions that would terminate the tax-exempt status of organizations designated as "terrorist supporting" by the Treasury Secretary, with limited due process protections. Stripping tax-exemption in this manner raises significant free speech and association issues, and could be abused to target disfavored groups. The vague "material support" standard invites overreach and chilling effects on civil society organizations. Rather than undermining constitutional principles, Congress should narrowly tailor any policies to provide relief for detained Americans through proper adjudication and without infringing on fundamental rights. Protecting civil liberties must remain paramount even when pursuing valid objectives against terrorism financing.