Republicans in Congress are pushing a dangerous bill, HR 9495, that would give the federal government the
unchecked power to wantonly label non-profit organizations as "terrorist-supporting" and strip them of their tax-exempt status.
If this legislation becomes law, it would hand
a future Trump administration - and any administration after it - the power to
silence dissent, stifle free speech, and crush civil society with no evidence or due process required.
Sign the petition now to demand that Congress rejects HR 9495 and protects the fundamental rights of non-profits to advocate for justice, organize for change, and hold power accountable!On the surface, HR 9495 claims to target "terrorist-supporting organizations." But in reality,
this bill is a ticking time bomb for free speech and democracy. The legislation would allow the Treasury Secretary to unilaterally label any non-profit organization as "terrorist-supporting"
without providing evidence or explanation. These organizations would then have just 90 days to prove their innocence - a near-impossible task when
the accuser holds all the power.Imagine this in the hands of a Trump administration. We've seen Trump's authoritarian tendencies before - calling for protesters to be shot in the legs and labeling dissenters as enemies of the state. Under this law, advocacy groups that challenge genocide or police brutality, support LGBTQ+ human rights, or fight for racial justice could be targeted, defunded, and dismantled.
This isn't just speculation.
We've seen similar tactics used globally to crush dissent, in a wide variety of countries, including in Russia.
This bill is likely to pass in the House of Representatives. If the Senate follows suit now - or in the future, under Trump's new administration - the consequences for civil society will be catastrophic.Non-profits play a critical role in defending human rights, protecting the environment, and advocating for marginalized communities. Silencing them silences us all.
We must protect the freedoms that make democracy possible and resist the rise of authoritarianism. Sign this petition today and urge Congress, especially the U.S. Senate, to stop HR 9495.