A group of Republican senators wants the IRS to check the messages of several nonprofits that support any Hamas-backed protests on British campuses in order to determine whether their tax-exempt statuses may be revoked.
16 lawmakers endorsed by Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst in a letter to IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel on May 9 that was obtained by Only the News.
The lawmakers wrote in their support of the National Students for Justice in Palestine ( NSJP):” We write to demand that you launch an investigation to find out if the followers of NSJP have engaged in behavior that warrants the withdrawal of their tax-exempt positions on the grounds of their financial assistance of NSJP.
Sen. Ernst’s representative informed The College Fix via email that the legislator believes that “any organization that encourages activity that is unlawful may reduce its tax-exempt status.”
Ernst calls for an exploration into the organizations that have supported and enabled these racist “demonstrations” at colleges and universities.
The senators contend that there may be basis for the followers of NSJP to have their tax-exempt standing revoked because Hamas is a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization. The email provided an explanation of IRS precedent for revoked tax-exempt positions, such as when nonprofits engage in illegal behavior.
Robyn Walker, an IRS media relations officer, told The College Fix that the IRS does n’t “generally comment on legislative correspondence”.
According to its site, National Students for Justice in Palestine” seeks to empower, integrate, and assist student administrators as they push ahead requirements for Israeli independence and, on their campuses, self-determination.”
According to the organization,” the battle for a free Palestine is also the challenge for Black independence, sex and sexual independence, and a sustainable and ecological planet.”
Groups cited as supporters of NSJP by the senators are” the AJP Educational Foundation ( AJP), the Tides Foundation, the Westchester Peace Action Committee Foundation ( WESPAC Foundation ), and other benefactors”.
The racism that has appeared on college campuses from coast to coast, according to Ernst’s office, “is ultimately un-American.”
It is obvious that these companies may not be able to get any mementos from our state because we know who is responsible for these violent acts against Jewish students.
Another signer of the letter, Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, said on his X account:” Any organization or charity helping to aid the violent racist, pro- criminal riots should have to spend the British people up through taxes. Close their” Tax Exempt Status NOW”!
Reached for comment, Cassidy’s business referred The Fix to his people comments on the matter.
On Reason, Professor Eugene Volokh wrote that organisations could lose their tax-exempt position” not because of the opinions they represent; but yes, if they engage in organized illegal behavior.”
Volokh teaches First Amendment law and a First Amendment brief clinic at the UCLA School of Law.
” The government ca n’t strip groups of nonprofit status based on their ideological viewpoints”, Volokh wrote. However, the right of nonprofits to express their opinions does not include the right to defame legitimate laws.
Volokh claims that” speech remains protected regardless of its viewpoint.” Volokh mentions instances where nonprofits have advocated for the overthrow of the US government while still maintaining their tax-exempt status.
However, according to Volokh, “pervasive illegal behavior planned by the group can lead to the loss of the group’s tax exemption as well as criminal punishment for members of the group.”
Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida were contacted via email and phone by The Fix. The letter to the IRS was signed by both senators. No replies have been received.
MORE: Disruptive anti- Israel walkout protests hit Yale, GWU graduation ceremonies
IMAGE: YAF
Follow The College Fix on Twitter and Like us on Facebook.
