1. United States
2. Md.
3. Letter

I believe H.R. 9495, the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act, poses significant risks that outweigh its intended benefits. This bill, as currently written, threatens to undermine legitimate charitable work, lacks appropriate safeguards, and duplicates existing laws without effectively addressing gaps in our counterterrorism framework. My Concerns with H.R. 9495: 1. Overreach and Lack of Due Process: The bill grants the Treasury Department sweeping authority to revoke the tax-exempt status of nonprofits accused of providing "material support" to terrorism. This determination can be made unilaterally, without adequate checks and balances or a clear process for appeal. Such broad discretion could lead to politically motivated enforcement or unjust targeting of organizations based on disputed allegations. 2. Hinders Humanitarian Efforts: Many nonprofits operate in areas affected by conflict or under regimes linked to terrorism. These organizations often provide critical humanitarian aid to vulnerable populations. Under the broad "material support" provisions, nonprofits working with entities like the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) or similar groups could face penalties, even if their primary mission is nonpolitical and life-saving. This hinders charitable organizations from helping regions where their assistance is desperately needed. 3. Redundancy with Existing Laws: U.S. law already prohibits providing material support to designated terrorist organizations under statutes like the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act (AEDPA). The only reason to reiterate it would be to cripple nonprofits in particular. 4. Risk of Misuse for Political Purposes: The vague language and broad enforcement powers in the bill could allow it to be wielded against organizations based on political bias or unproven accusations. This undermines public trust in the process and harms legitimate charitable work. While I support providing relief to American hostages, I believe that goal can and should be pursued in ways that do not jeopardize humanitarian work, restrict due process, or create overlapping legal frameworks. I urge you to vote no on H.R. 9495 and to advocate for a more targeted and balanced approach to addressing these important issues. Thank you for considering my concerns, and I look forward to your response.