A Republican bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Free Speech Fairness Act," seeks to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. It specifically targets 501(c)(3) charitable organizations. The legislation would allow these organizations to make statements regarding political campaigns. This is permitted if the statements are made during the ordinary course of the organization's tax-exempt purpose. Additionally, the statements must result in minimal incremental expenses for the organization.
Yes
- Scored +5
Does this protect the individual right to speak freely?
The bill facilitates the expression of political views by 501(c)(3) organizations.
- Scored +5
Does this protect what people are allowed to say in public life?
The bill expands the ability of charitable organizations to engage in political speech without losing tax-exempt status.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased expression for charities: Under Section 2(a), charitable organizations would not lose their tax-exempt status or be seen as intervening in a political campaign simply because of the content of certain statements. This occurs if the statements are made in the ordinary course of regular and customary activities to further their exempt purpose.
-
Financial protection for organizational activities: Section 2(a)(1)(B) allows these statements to be made as long as the organization incurs "not more than de minimis incremental expenses." This provides a way for charities to engage in certain communications without violating their status, provided the costs stay within a very small limit.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts identified: The provided text does not contain specific details regarding negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect the individual right to speak freely? — The bill facilitates the expression of political views by 501(c)(3) organizations.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this protect what people are allowed to say in public life? — The bill expands the ability of charitable organizations to engage in political speech without losing tax-exempt status.
- 4/4/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/31/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Ted CruzRepublican · Texas
Roger WickerRepublican · Mississippi