The government is moving to crack down on nonprofits’ free speech right here in KC | Opinion

Imagine waking up tomorrow to find that your favorite nonprofit — a newsroom, a food pantry, or a community program — has been silenced. Its tax-exempt status revoked, its mission gutted, its doors shuttered.

This scenario moved one step closer to reality on Thursday when the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 9495, a bill granting sweeping powers to the Treasury Secretary to revoke the tax-exempt status of nonprofit organizations. The bill, which passed 219-184, now heads to the Senate, where its fate is uncertain.

This isn’t new. History shows us that when politicians want to control dissent, they start by attacking free speech.

The Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 criminalized criticism of the government under the guise of safety. The Nuremberg Laws of 1935 stripped Jewish people of their rights, normalizing systematic persecution. During the Cold War, McCarthy-era blacklists destroyed careers and lives. More recently, the Patriot Act of 2001 expanded government surveillance, curtailing civil liberties in the name of national security.

H.R. 9495 continues this troubling trend. Branded as the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act, it claims to fight terrorism but gives the Treasury Secretary sweeping power to revoke nonprofits’ tax-exempt status with minimal evidence. It’s easy to imagine this power being used to target organizations tackling controversial issues or challenging authority.

Kansas City’s nonprofits — essential to informing, educating and uplifting our bistate community — are particularly vulnerable.

Nonprofits fill critical gaps in health, education and social services, providing essential support to vulnerable populations and strengthening the fabric of our community. With more than 10,500 nonprofits, Kansas City depends on these organizations to address pressing needs and foster resilience.

The risks are real. Local news outlets such as The Beacon could be accused of wrongdoing for reporting on corruption. Educational programs could lose funding for teaching about race or reproductive health. Humanitarian organizations could be penalized for aiding people in crisis zones. This bill chills speech, stifles dissent and punishes organizations that dare to speak truth to power.

The ACLU and more than 300 organizations have expressed opposition to H.R. 9495, warning that it could devastate nonprofits nationwide. They argue that the bill’s vague definitions and lack of due process make nonprofits easy targets for political harassment, forcing them to divert precious resources away from their missions.

Kansas City has already seen threats to free speech. Earlier this year, the Wichita City Council replaced The Wichita Eagle with its own website as the city’s official newspaper, challenging the role of independent journalism. Around the same time, police raided the offices of The Marion County Record.

H.R. 9495 could make these alarming actions more common and far-reaching.

But there’s still time to act. The Senate has yet to vote on this bill, and public pressure could make a difference. Contact your senators and urge them to oppose H.R. 9495. This legislation threatens free speech, democracy and the vital work nonprofits do to strengthen our communities.

At The Beacon, we work tirelessly to hold the powerful accountable and provide accessible journalism on issues like health, education, and local government. This year, we collaborated with The Kansas City Star and other newsrooms to create Kansas City’s most comprehensive election guide, engaging thousands of readers.

Our work — and the work of nonprofits across the region — depends on your support. Together, we can stand against this legislation and protect the organizations that uphold transparency and serve our communities.