Can someone smarter than I explain what this is about, please - House vote

[alwaysinasnit]

https://www.commondreams.org/news/trump-nonprofits-bill

No Thanks to These 52 Dems, House Defeats Bill Enabling Trump Assault on Nonprofits

Legislation that would have handed President-elect Donald Trump sweeping power to investigate and shutter news outlets, government watchdogs, humanitarian organizations, and other nonprofits was defeated in the House of Representatives on Tuesday after a coalition of progressive advocacy groups and lawmakers mobilized against it, warning of the bill's dire implications for the right to dissent.

But 52 Democratic lawmakers—including Reps. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), and Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.)—apparently did not share the grave concerns expressed by the ACLU and other leading rights groups, opting to vote alongside 204 Republicans in favor of the bill.

One Republican, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, joined 144 Democrats in voting no.

The measure ultimately fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to approve legislation under the fast-track procedure used by the bill's supporters, but progressives wasted no time spotlighting the Democrats who supported the measure.

snip...

[cbabe]

1. I have the same question. Previous post. No answers yet.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219714126

[alwaysinasnit]

5. Sorry, I obviously missed it.

[cbabe]

9. No worries. Glad you're asking, too.

[Ilikepurple]

2. Two part bill

I’ll give it a shot. First part of the bill allows for delayed tax filing for those unlawfully or wrongly detained in a foreign countries. The second part gives the the Treasury Secretary discretionary ability to take away tax empt status from non profits they determine to be aiding terrorist groups. The issue seems to be that they don’t have to provide the nonprofit with any info as to why they determined that. Making it improbable that the non profit can challenge their claims. It could have wide applications to silence or crush nonprofits considered unfriendly to the current administration.

[Ilikepurple]

3. The bill failed

The bill failed because it need a two thirds majority to pass because it was fast tracked I think. It’ll be reintroduced and probably pass next year. I assume they’ll go after pro-Palestinian groups at first, but watch out BLM or other liberal cause non profits.

[Baitball Blogger]

8. If it requires 2/3 vote, how can it pass?

[Ilikepurple]

10. It'll be introduced as regular rather than expedited

I think it only took 2/3 because it was expedited with hearing or discussion. When they reintroduce it, they’ll give opponents time to respond and it’ll take a simple majority. I’m assuming the republicans hold the house.

[Baitball Blogger]

11. This is very disturbing.

I wonder if this is another one for the ACLU to defend?

[alwaysinasnit]

4. Thank you. But my confusion stems from why so many Democrats would vote in favor of something like

this.

[Zeitghost]

6. Because we just lost an election

For being out of touch with voters and most voters don't want non-profits funneling money to terrorist organizations.

[Ilikepurple]

12. Executive branch already has power

This just makes it easier and takes away transparency. It really removes any checks on that power besides maybe public opinion. There are due process issues, but when terrorist are mentioned, due process seems to be less of a concern.

[Baitball Blogger]

7. They defeated it, because the Republicans would have targeted non-profits that they didn't like.

My guess.

[Ilikepurple]

13. I think because of the first part?

It seems right to give tax timing relief to those held unlawfully or wrongly. Maybe they know that if no yes, it’ll be spun that they support tax exempt status for terrorist organizations.

[alwaysinasnit]

14. I guess it's a case of "damned if you do, and damned if you don't."

[soandso]

15. Here's the bill

https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/9495/text/rh

I def don't think that Americans being held hostage, or wrongfully detained in a foreign country, should be punished or fined for filing not filing and paying their taxes while they're being held prisoner.

The funding terrorists portion may be up for debate because you have locate the cite of relevant US Code that defines terrorists. I had some trouble doing it so maybe someone else can look at that. It also allows the non profit to "cure" or dispute the terrorist determination in a hearing.

[Ilikepurple]

16. The cure might be difficult or impossible for some.

As I read it, there are two ways to cure the stripping of tax exempt status. Within 90 days the nonprofit with needs to convince the Secretary that they made a mistake or it needs to have made reasonable effort to to have the terrorist organization return the support to the nonprofit and certify that they won’t do it again.
The Secretary must provide “ a description of such material support or resources to the extent consistent with national security and law enforcement interests”.
This might be simple if not for the fact the Secretary may be able to withhold key information that would either lead to exoneration or compliance. I think we need to start reading these bills with what possible malice or mayhem they could be used for. There must be reason they tried to rush this through after the election but before the official House results. They won, so this bill will return soon. It’s one to watch.

The IRS can already terminate tax exempt status on its own accord, as acknowledged in the bill. “ a dispute regarding such designation shall be subject to resolution by the Internal Revenue Service Independent Office of Appeals under section 7803(e) in the same manner as if such designation were made by the Internal Revenue Service”. Is this to bring control of these determinations further under Trump’s thumb?

[RandiFan1290]

17. Aaaah The Generals!!