1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

The freedom to voice dissent and criticism is a cornerstone of democracy. H.R. 9495 would have granted the executive branch sweeping powers to investigate and strip tax-exempt status from organizations based solely on accusations, threatening free speech and the ability to hold the government accountable. Over 130 civil society groups, including human rights, reproductive health, and immigrants' rights organizations, opposed this dangerous legislation that could silence legitimate critics. Blocking H.R. 9495 was a vital step in protecting our democratic values and preventing the administration from wielding unchecked authority to target its detractors. At a time when safeguarding civil liberties is paramount, concentrating such broad censorship powers in the hands of a single branch sets a concerning precedent. A request is made to steadfastly uphold the constitutional right to dissent without fear of reprisal from the state, ensuring a robust civic discourse that strengthens our democracy.