U.S. Representative Greg Steube, a Republican from Florida, has introduced the Safeguarding Charity Act. This legislation aims to clarify the status of tax-exempt organizations, asserting that they should not be treated as recipients of federal financial assistance. The Act seeks to protect tax-exempt organizations, including churches, nonprofits, and private schools, from potential litigation that could subject them to federal regulations.
“Radical judges do not have the authority to twist federal law and force religious institutions to choose between their convictions and compliance,” said Rep. Steube. He emphasized that the bill is designed to protect churches, religious schools, and charities from federal overreach. Steube also expressed gratitude to Senator Lankford for his efforts in the Senate.
U.S. Senator James Lankford, a Republican from Oklahoma, has introduced companion legislation in the Senate. He stated, “Tax-exempt organizations should not live in fear of federal control every day because courts want to redefine the meaning of tax-exempt status.”
Several organizations have expressed support for the new legislation. Greg Baylor, Senior Counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom, said, “Let’s be clear: a nonprofit’s tax-exempt status should not be considered government funding and thus should not trigger multiple burdensome federal laws.”
Brent Leatherwood, President of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, supported the Act, stating, “The ERLC urges Congress to uphold this longstanding precedent and protect religious organizations’ freedom to operate in accordance with their faith.”
The Association of Christian Schools International and Agudath Israel of America have also voiced their approval. P. George Tryfiates from the Association of Christian Schools International stated, “Politically motivated lawsuits based on this false premise must stop.” Rabbi Abba Cohen from Agudath Israel of America highlighted the Act’s importance to synagogues, religious schools, and charities.
These organizations, among others, including the Philanthropy Roundtable and Seventh-day Adventist Church, stand in support of the Safeguarding Charity Act, seeking to ensure that tax-exempt status does not equate to receiving federal financial assistance.
