House Passes Harmful Non-Profit Legislation, Putting Critical Services at Risk
After failing to pass under suspension of the rules earlier this month, the 'Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act' (HR 9495) returned for consideration under regular order. It successfully passed the House of Representatives last Thursday with a 219–184 vote, a narrower margin than the initial vote. This marks a pivotal moment for the controversial legislation, which has drawn sharp criticism for provisions that could jeopardize the tax-exempt status of nonprofits providing essential services such as humanitarian aid, education, healthcare, and advocacy for marginalized communities.
With the measure now advancing to the Senate, the stakes are higher than ever for organizations and advocates concerned about its potential impact. Over 100 civil society organizations have raised alarms about the bill’s overly broad criteria, which empower the Secretary of the Treasury to revoke 501(c)(3) status for groups deemed to have provided “material support” to terrorist organizations.
The bill’s provisions, coupled with the shift in decision-making authority to political appointees, have heightened fears of politicization and misuse. In response, advocacy groups, including the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, issued action alerts last week urging opposition to the bill. As the Senate prepares to deliberate, it is critical to demand amendments that safeguard nonprofits while addressing legitimate concerns about terrorism. This moment calls for unified and sustained advocacy to protect the integrity and mission of organizations serving the most vulnerable.
Up Against the Clock: Senator Debbie Stabenow Introduces Key Farm Bill Reauthorization
Last week, Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee released the text of The Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act of 2024, which builds on a proposal unveiled earlier this year and focuses on strengthening farmers, families, and rural communities. With $39 billion in new resources, the bill’s initiatives aim to bolster food security, enhance nutrition programs, and improve infrastructure in rural areas. The farm bill includes over 100 bipartisan provisions. Title IV places significant emphasis on improving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), with provisions aimed at increasing transparency in the Thrifty Food Plan and expanding support for underserved populations, such as military families, college students, and the elderly. The bill also seeks to streamline SNAP application processes, promote nutrition education, restore SNAP benefits for drug related convictions, and ensure better access to food in geographically isolated areas, Indian tribes, and U.S. territories like Puerto Rico. It includes innovative grants to modernize program delivery and improve administrative efficiency, enhancing the program’s ability to meet evolving needs.
In addition to nutrition programs, the bill expands emergency food assistance by increasing access to culturally relevant foods and fresh produce procurement, particularly for tribes and remote regions. The inclusion of programs like the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program and community food projects underscores the bill's focus on addressing food insecurity and supporting agricultural sustainability. Title IV also incorporates efforts to strengthen the food supply chain, improve retail food store engagement, reduce fraud, and enhance customer service. Nutrition education and obesity prevention programs are prioritized to improve public health outcomes.
Furthermore, the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act addresses rural broadband access, with a focus on expanding internet connectivity in underserved areas through programs like the ReConnect Program and the Community Connect Grant Program. By prioritizing the expansion of "middle mile" broadband infrastructure and encouraging technological innovation, the bill aims to foster sustainable connectivity for healthcare, education, and economic development in rural communities, ensuring equitable access to digital resources and modernizing rural infrastructure.
The Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act of 2024 represents a critical step in addressing systemic inequalities and building a more equitable society. The National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) has long emphasized the need for robust investments in communities where access to basic resources—such as food, healthcare, and education—can be limited. By expanding SNAP and improving access to nutritious food, particularly for underserved populations such as low-income families, military families, returning citizens, college students, and elderly individuals, this bill directly supports marginalized communities that often face food insecurity due to geographic isolation or economic challenges. These investments not only alleviate immediate hunger but also address the root causes of inequality, ensuring that all Americans, regardless of where they live, have access to the resources they need to thrive.
Moreover, the bill’s focus on rural broadband expansion is crucial for promoting social and economic justice. By improving internet access in underserved areas through programs like the ReConnect Program and the Community Connect Grant Program, the bill helps bridge the digital divide, ensuring that rural communities are not left behind in an increasingly digital world. Enhanced connectivity facilitates access to healthcare, education, job opportunities, and civic engagement—critical components of economic mobility and empowerment. This comprehensive approach, integrating food security with infrastructure development and digital equity, is a powerful tool for reducing disparities between urban and rural communities. The bill supports a vision of a fairer, more connected, and resilient society, where all Americans have equal opportunities to succeed.
NCC has long been a staunch advocate for increasing SNAP benefits and restoring benefits for returning citizens. For years, we have partnered with other advocacy groups to ensure these essential supports are accessible to those who need them most, especially in marginalized communities. In previous legislative cycles, NCC has underscored the moral imperative of restoring SNAP benefits for individuals convicted of drug-related felonies, pushing for changes that support reintegration and break the cycle of poverty. While a long-term reauthorization of the farm bill is preferred to provide a comprehensive solution, the looming expiration of the current extension on December 31 leaves limited time for action. NCC urges the Senate to come together in a bipartisan manner to pass the 5-year reauthorization. If this is not feasible, we call for a short-term extension to ensure the continuity of critical programs and prevent disruptions to existing funding levels, allowing vulnerable communities to continue receiving the support they need.
NCC Staff Joins Colleagues in the Circle of Protection for Meetings with Senate Staff on Key Priority Issues
NCC staff, along with colleagues from the Circle of Protection, met with Senator Jon Ossoff’s (D-GA) office to discuss key priority issues for 2025, focusing on the reconciliation bill, debt ceiling negotiations, and appropriations. The group shared concerns regarding the potential threats to Medicaid and SNAP in the reconciliation bill, particularly with proposals to impose stricter work requirements. These provisions would disproportionately impact vulnerable communities, and the Circle emphasized the need to protect these critical safety net programs. Additionally, the meeting included a strong appeal for Senator Ossoff to resist being one of the swing votes supporting any debt ceiling or farm bill agreements that could lead to harmful cuts in non-defense discretionary (NDD) funding, SNAP, or other low-income programs. The group underscored that such cuts would undermine efforts to support marginalized communities and exacerbate existing inequalities.
In a separate meeting with Senator Tom Tillis' (R-NC) office, NCC staff highlighted their priorities around the expansion and protection of the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), both of which are vital for low-income working families. The discussion provided an opportunity to gauge Senator Tillis' stance on the reconciliation bill and other legislative priorities for 2025. The Circle of Protection urged Senator Tillis to oppose any proposals that would result in cuts to Medicaid and SNAP in the upcoming reconciliation package, emphasizing the detrimental impact on families and communities that rely on these programs. In addition, the meeting included a call for Senator Tillis to advocate for expanding the CTC and EITC in the tax bill, as these expansions would provide much-needed financial relief to low-income households and help combat poverty. The group conveyed its hope that Senator Tillis would champion these critical measures in the upcoming legislative sessions.
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