URGENT ACTION ALERT – (H.R. 9495) 

Urge your Representative to vote against this deceptive and dangerous bill, the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act (H.R. 9495) 

THE ISSUE: 

This legislation would give Donald Trump the power to shut down any organization that would criticize his administration, by muzzling non-profit organizations like NOW and thousands of other non-profits who publicly comment on the government. In essence, H.R. 9495 would enable the future president to quash any criticism, punish people who speak out and use power of the government to punish those who dare to criticize his administration.  

 H.R. 9495 would give Trump’s Treasury secretary the power to declare any non-profit a “terrorist supporting organization” and to strip them of their tax-exempt status –without requiring any evidence. NOW and many other organizations that fight for people’s freedoms will struggle to survive if their funding is fundamentally altered by the actions of this bill. Unfortunately, a significant number of Democrats – who apparently did not study the bill carefully – voted for it.  

WHY IT MATTERS: 

This bill would give the Trump Administration unprecedented power to essentially stop funding and shut down any non-profit organization that they deem as violating this act. It would allow Donald Trump and future presidents to use the government to mobilize against their “enemies”. The Trump Administration would effectively be able to silence any organization or group that speaks out against the actions of the administration. This bill, if passed, dramatically undermines our First Amendment right to free speech –one of the most important freedoms in a democracy. 

STATUS: 

This bill failed to pass the House of Representatives last week when a two-thirds vote was required, 256-145. Inexplicably, 52 Democrats voted for H.R. 9495. This bill, if passed, dramatically undermines our constitutional right to Free Speech. 

This bill, if passed, dramatically undermines our constitutional right to Free Speech.

H.R. 9495 will be re-introduced on Wednesday, November 20. The right-wing leadership of the House of Representatives is likely trying to line up more votes for passage as a two-thirds vote is required. There is the urgent need to contact all House Democrats who may have mistakenly voted for the bill last week.

YOUR MESSAGE: 

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE NOW– ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE A DEMOCRAT WHO VOTED INCORRECTLY. You can check the vote tally at https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2024458   

•  Vote AGAINST the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act (H.R. 9495).  

• The bill would give the president unprecedented power to strip non-profit organizations of their funding and weaponize the government against those organizations that speak out against the administration’s actions.  

• H.R. 9495, if adopted in law, is serious threat to or First Amendment right free speech. 

The Capitol switchboard number is 202-224-3121; a list of representatives appears here (U.S. Representatives). You can also go to the representatives’ websites and enter a message or obtain their in-state office phone number and call to deliver your message.  

Thanks for everything that you do for NOW.