Guardians of Change
Why House Bill 9495 Threatens More Than Tax Status
What if a single government official could silence the nonprofit you trust most — no trial, no evidence, just a label? That’s the terrifying power House Bill 9495 would hand over, targeting organizations that challenge injustice or stand up for marginalized communities. Cloaked in the language of “national security,” this bill threatens to dismantle the very foundations of trust and generosity that nonprofits rely on to fight for equity and change.
Reflecting on the current discourse surrounding House Bill 9495, formally named the “Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act,” I find myself grappling with its alarming implications — not just as a nonprofit leader, but as someone deeply committed to the preservation of democracy and justice.
At its core, this bill seeks to grant the Secretary of the Treasury sweeping power to unilaterally designate nonprofits as “terrorist-supporting organizations,” stripping them of their tax-exempt status. For those of us working to confront systemic inequities, this feels less like a policy and more like a weapon that could be turned on movements like ours.
What does it mean to be labeled a “terrorist-supporting organization” in a political climate where dissent is often branded as unpatriotic? For organizations like Black Lives Matter, which challenge systems of power and call for accountability, this bill reads like a direct threat. It gives government officials the power to undermine our work with a designation, no matter how unjust or unfounded.
And let’s talk about due process — or the lack thereof. The proposed framework offers no clear mechanism for organizations to challenge these accusations. Imagine fighting systemic racism, economic inequity, or police violence, only to be sidelined by an opaque process that leaves your organization stripped of its resources and reputation. It’s not just chilling; it’s silencing.
I can’t help but think about the historical parallels. Throughout history, marginalized communities and their advocates have been labeled, surveilled, and suppressed under the banner of “national security.” From COINTELPRO targeting civil rights leaders to the post-9/11 expansion of surveillance on Muslim communities, we’ve seen how fear is weaponized to justify the erosion of civil liberties. House Bill 9495 risks becoming the next chapter in that troubling legacy.
As we approach Giving Tuesday, the global day of generosity, I am reminded of the incredible resilience and impact of nonprofits. Each year, this day highlights the trust and belief millions of people place in organizations fighting for justice, equity, and change. But this bill, if enacted, threatens to shake that trust. It targets the foundations of generosity and collaboration, creating an environment of fear and uncertainty where nonprofits must constantly defend their existence.
But the stakes here aren’t just about one bill or one sector — they’re about what kind of society we want to live in. Nonprofits are more than tax-exempt organizations; we are the lifeline of movements, the stewards of collective power, and the megaphone for voices that too often go unheard. A policy like this doesn’t just attack our infrastructure — it attacks our very existence.
This is not just a call to action; it’s a call to clarity. We must see this bill for what it is: a tool that could be used to dismantle hard-fought progress under the pretext of protecting the public. It is a stark reminder that the fight for justice isn’t just against systems of oppression — it’s also against the laws and policies that seek to make oppression permanent.
The path forward is clear: we cannot afford to sit idly by. We must educate our communities, mobilize our networks, and ensure that our elected officials understand the catastrophic consequences this bill could unleash. The work of justice has never been easy, but it has always been necessary. House Bill 9495 is a test of our resolve, and it’s one we cannot afford to fail.
This moment is a reminder of why we do what we do. It’s a reminder that leadership in the nonprofit sector isn’t just about programs and budgets — it’s about standing firm in the face of policies designed to dismantle our impact. In this giving season, let it serve not just as a time of generosity but as a rallying cry — a chance to stand together and protect the movements that define and uphold our collective humanity.
