1. United States
2. Colo.
3. Letter

As a deeply concerned constituent, I am writing to urge you to oppose HR 9495, the "Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act," which raises serious concerns about the potential for government overreach and the erosion of First Amendment rights. While the bill’s stated intent—to postpone tax-filing deadlines for wrongfully detained Americans and strip terrorist-supporting organizations of their tax-exempt status—sounds reasonable on the surface, its broader implications are terrifying. Specifically, HR 9495 grants the Treasury Secretary unilateral power to designate organizations as “terrorist supporting” without requiring evidence or explanation. These organizations then face a nearly impossible burden of proof to challenge the designation within 90 days. This overbroad authority could easily be weaponized to target nonprofits, civil society groups, or advocacy organizations based on political motivations rather than legitimate concerns about terrorism. Such a precedent endangers the vital work of nonprofits and grassroots organizations that are essential to holding power accountable, protecting civil liberties, and fostering a healthy democracy. We have already seen examples of this kind of abuse globally, such as when Israel labeled Palestinian human rights groups as terrorist organizations or when Russia used anti-terror laws to suppress dissent. Given these risks, it is not hard to imagine similar misuse in the United States, especially under an administration hostile to civil rights and dissenting voices. I ask you to consider the risks this bill poses to civil society and the dangerous precedent it could set. Protecting national security and supporting Americans detained abroad are critical goals, but we must not achieve them at the expense of our constitutional freedoms or by undermining the nonprofit sector’s vital role in our democracy. Please vote against HR 9495 and any future legislation that includes provisions threatening First Amendment rights and civil liberties. Thank you for your consideration of this important issue — I look forward to seeing your leadership in safeguarding democracy and justice.