Washington, DC - Responding to the dual events this week of (1) the House passing language to effectively block enforcement of the longstanding law known as the Johnson Amendment in Section 112 of the Interior/Environment and Financial Services and General Government “mini-bus” appropriations bill (H.R. 6147) and (2) the Administration revoking a rule requiring donor disclosures by some tax-exempt organizations, National Council of Nonprofits President and CEO Tim Delaney released the following statement:
“It’s now impossible for Congress and the White House to deny their objective: to politicize the trusted charitable nonprofit community by authorizing unlimited, unfettered, and untraceable political money to flow through the nonprofit sector to benefit partisan special interests. Through their regulatory action removing the paper trail for 501(c)(4) organizations and their legislative action via a must-pass appropriations bill to weaken the longstanding Johnson Amendment and open the floodgates for getting a tax deduction for their political campaigning, they can no longer hide their agenda to impose partisan politics over public interest.
“Charitable nonprofits are not in the business of partisan politics and are not here to be used to hide or launder political money; rather, we exist to solve problems in our communities for the common good. The collateral damage to the reputation of charitable nonprofits, even those that steer far clear of the secret money and pressure to endorse candidates, will be devastating. Is it too much to ask that politicians put this country’s interests above their own? Based on these two actions in Washington this week, it seems the answer is, sadly, yes.”
Additional Background
The vast majority of Americans strongly oppose efforts to repeal or weaken the Johnson Amendment:
Charitable and Philanthropic Organizations
Law Enforcement
Religious Groups and Leaders
Public Polls
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The National Council of Nonprofits (Council of Nonprofits) is a trusted resource and proven advocate for America’s charitable nonprofits. Connecting the policy dots across all levels and branches of governments, the Council of Nonprofits keeps nonprofits informed and empowered to create a positive public policy environment that best supports nonprofits in advancing their missions. Working with and through the nation’s largest network of nonprofits – with 25,000-plus organizational members - we identify emerging trends, share proven practices, and promote solutions that benefit charitable nonprofits and the communities they serve. Learn more at www.councilofnonprofits.org.