1. United States
2. Iowa
3. Letter

The proposed "Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act" aims to provide relief to Americans wrongfully detained or held hostage abroad, but raises concerns about potential overreach. While supporting hostages is crucial, terminating the tax-exempt status of organizations accused of providing "material support" to certain groups, based on a broad and vaguely defined standard, could suppress legitimate dissent and chill free speech. This provision lacks due process protections and judicial oversight. I urge you to reject this bill and instead pursue narrowly tailored measures that truly support American hostages without compromising constitutional rights or enabling government overreach against civil society organizations. Any efforts to address terror financing must have robust safeguards against abuse and protect freedom of association. Please prioritize an approach grounded in human rights and civil liberties when considering this complex issue.