Text RESIST to 50409 to get started, or donate to keep us online.

An open letter to the U.S. House of Representatives

Urging Opposition to HR9495 – Defending First Amendment Rights and Civil Society

I am writing to urge your office to oppose H.R. 9495, the so-called “Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act.” This bill raises serious First Amendment concerns and appears tailored to suppress political expression and advocacy by nonprofits, especially under the incoming administration. With President-elect Trump’s statements about suppressing pro-Palestinian voices and targeting political opposition, this legislation would arm the new administration’s Treasury Department with extraordinary powers to penalize nonprofits that engage in advocacy. H.R. 9495 threatens nonprofits representing vulnerable communities, including those advocating for Palestinian rights, reproductive freedom, environmental justice, and other causes often at odds with powerful interests. This bill undermines the core principle of the First Amendment: the right to “petition the Government for a redress of grievances” without fear of reprisal. Allowing the incoming administration to wield this bill’s provisions could embolden the President-elect’s stated aim to exact “retribution” against political opponents, using nonprofits as a primary target. The sweeping language of H.R. 9495 would make it easier to limit funding to organizations based on perceived political alignment, setting a dangerous precedent that could silence dissent and weaken democracy. I urge you to stand against this bill and protect the rights of nonprofits and advocacy groups to speak and act freely. Congress should not hand any administration, particularly one committed to punitive measures against its critics, the authority to strip civil society of its essential voice. (https://www.aclu.org/documents/civil-society-letter-to-congress-opposing-hr-9495)

▶ Created on November 15, 2024 by BlueCollarJew

Already signed?

  • Promote this campaign to get it texted to potential signers
  • Share this page or image
    A shareable card that reads "tell the U.S. House of Representatives: Urging Opposition to HR9495 – Defending First Amendment Rights and Civil Society" followed by "text sign PFYOSC to 50409"
  • Text INVITE PFYOSC to ask your friends to sign via text or email
  • and post around campus or on your community bulletin board
  • Use the iOS app to share with your contacts
  • Join our Discord and connect with fellow organizers
  • Upgrade to Premium to unlock more features and make sure we can keep delivering
Share on BlueskyShare on TwitterShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare on WhatsAppShare on TumblrEmail with GmailEmail

Promote this Petition

Help this campaign grow by funding texts asking members to sign!