1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I am writing to express my strong concerns regarding H.R. 9495, a bill that would permit Congress to revoke the tax-exempt status of any organization it deems as supporting terrorism. While I understand and fully support the need to combat terrorism and protect our national security, I am deeply troubled by the potential consequences of this bill on free speech and legitimate nonprofit activities. Granting Congress the authority to unilaterally revoke tax-exempt status based on perceived connections to terrorism could lead to serious abuses of power. Such broad discretion, without proper oversight or judicial review, creates a risk of politically motivated targeting of organizations engaged in advocacy, humanitarian aid, or other legitimate forms of work that may, at times, be controversial or misunderstood. In particular, the lack of a clear, consistent, and objective standard for defining “supporting terrorism” raises significant concerns about potential bias and arbitrary enforcement. There is a risk that organizations with ideological or political views that differ from those of the current administration could be unfairly targeted, chilling free speech and discouraging organizations from engaging in important work. Nonprofits providing aid in conflict zones, for instance, could be accused of supporting terrorism based solely on the areas or populations they serve, despite a purely humanitarian mission. Instead of granting Congress unchecked authority, I urge you to advocate for a more balanced approach—one that involves an independent and transparent process with safeguards to protect free speech and ensure fair treatment of all organizations. As your constituent, I am asking you to oppose H.R. 9495 or work to introduce amendments that would provide clarity, fairness, and transparency in any decisions regarding the tax-exempt status of organizations. Thank you for your attention to this issue. I hope that we can work together to create policies that safeguard national security without compromising the constitutional rights and freedoms that define our nation.