Taxpayer-funded terror: Congress must stop nonprofits supporting terrorist organizations

The Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas shocked the American Jewish community and sparked a standoff among politicians in Washington over how to support our nation's strongest ally in the Middle East. As the war rages on in Gaza, there is one thing Congress has the authority, and bipartisan support, to do immediately after resuming its duties on January 9th. It would eliminate tax-exempt status for any organization in the United States that supports terrorism.

HR6408a bill that would end the 501(c)(3) nonprofit status of U.S. organizations that support terrorist organizations. introduced It was introduced in the House last month by Rep. David Kustoff (R-Tenn.) and Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.). The bill quickly attracted co-sponsors from both parties and passed the Ways and Means Committee on November 30th by a vote of 41-0.

If you're like most Americans, you're probably wondering why the IRS granted tax-exempt status to terrorist-supporting organizations in the first place. Eligibility for nonprofit recognition has always been vague. Although the IRS is very strict about documentation and annual reporting requirements for consideration, organizations seeking a 501(c)(3) letter of approval must only exist for “charitable” purposes. Amateur sports leagues, guinea pig rescue groups, foundations dedicated to the needs of tall people, Star Wars cosplay advocacy groups, and more. Authenticated Nonprofits — and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Is it any wonder that groups like Students for Justice in Palestine and the Council on American-Islamic Relations were able to secure the same thing?

2014 report A study by the Financial Action Task Force, a watchdog organization focused on global money laundering and terrorist financing, found that the nonprofit sector has “interrelated vulnerabilities, and terrorist organizations have multiple types of vulnerabilities.” It was determined that he was trying to exploit his gender. He further stated: [nonprofit] Funding by terrorist organizations was the main method of misuse. However, other types of non-financial abuse, such as program abuse and recruitment assistance, also occurred regularly. ”

A great example is the Holy Land Foundation (HLF). Originally founded as the Occupied Territories Fund, the Texas-based charity ostensibly existed to provide “practical solutions to human suffering through humanitarian programs.” In 2001, the United States officially declared the HLF a terrorist organization and shut it down. Three years later, HLF leaders federal rates For “supporting Hamas by raising funds through the corporate Holy Land Foundation.” HLF funds were distributed as grants to regional organizations in the Middle East, which used the funds to expand grassroots support for Hamas. All HLF defendants were convicted and sentenced. funnel $12 million to terrorists.

The Kustoff/Schneider Act would allow the Treasury Department to more easily and aggressively enforce tax laws and keep an eye out for reprehensible “charitable organizations.” If you support terrorists, your life is over.

The bill is now scheduled for consideration in the full House. Speaker Mike Johnson could score an immediate victory by bringing it to a floor vote immediately in the first week when Congress reconvenes in January.

And if he does, he would need to amend the bill to include organizations that meet the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. definition of antisemitism. Any organization that “calls for, aids in, or justifies the murder” of Jews does not deserve the luxury of 501(c)(3) designation.

Tax-exempt status is not a right. It's a privilege. Organizations that exploit it to further their deadly objectives deserve to face consequences, and those that consider it need to be deterred.

Gregory T. Angelo new tolerance campaign.