The tax bill which the House passed earlier this month may reverse a 1954 law which prohibits churches and other non-profit organizations from participating in political activities. The bill includes a provision which removes the ban, though many religious leaders have warned this could make the line between charity and politics unclear. On the other hand, groups on the religious right applauded this move by Republican lawmakers.
Those who oppose the change fear it could transform churches into a political force funded by donors. The nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation estimated that up to $1.7 billion may be diverted from political committees to churches and other non-profit groups which could, for the first time, engage in partisan political activities.
Senator James Lankford supported the ending of the 1954 ban and is making attempts to also insert language in the Senate bill to reverse it, according to a spokesperson for the Senator. He added that Lankford believed it was very likely that the roll-back would be included in the Senate version of the tax rewrite, which is to be voted on this week.
Republican lawmakers, who are determined to deliver the bill to the president’s desk before the end of the year, are willing to make changes to it including language drafted with significant contributions by evangelical groups. President Donald Trump promised during his campaign to repeal the Jonson Amendment, as the ban is known, opening the path for it in the tax code overhaul passed by the House.
However, this has prompted some to claim that repealing the ban will result in the creation of “sham churches,” which will use this new opening for political spending to their advantage. Many religious leaders, groups and charities now fear it could also lead to them being pressured into taking sides in political campaigns or endorsing donors if they want to continue receiving funding.
“It will bring the partisan divide to our doors. If the Senate doesn’t stop this, there will be havoc in the nonprofit sector,” said Jatrice Martel Gaiter from Volunteers of America.
Christian conservative leaders disagree, claiming that the provision which repeals the 1854 ban is constitutional and aims at avoiding such abuse by donors. Evangelical leaders, as well, supported this move by Trump, who they believe, may help them advance their agenda more than other Republicans.
“That’s the way the world works. The world is transactional. The awareness was building, but the real catalyst of this conversation is Donald Trump,” said Tony Perkins, a leading figure on the Christian right.
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