Last week, Congressman Chip Roy (TX-21) introduced the Stop Subsidizing Political Lawfare by Charities Act (Stop SPLC Act), legislation that would revoke the Southern Poverty Law Center’s (SPLC) tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The legislation reflects the reality that the SPLC has operated as an ideological watchdog, smearing Americans while continuing to receive the benefits associated with charitable nonprofit status.
“The SPLC has built a business in smearing Christian conservatives and profiting from labeling its ideological opponents as ‘extremists’ and ‘hate groups.’ For years, the SPLC has used those designations to influence federal agencies, pressure private institutions, and target Americans for holding mainstream religious and political views. Tax-exempt status should be reserved for charitable organizations serving the public good – not groups engaged in partisan political warfare. The Stop SPLC Act would revoke the SPLC’s tax-exempt status and end the special tax benefits it has enjoyed for far too long,” said Rep. Roy.
Yesterday, Rep. Roy participated in a House Judiciary Committee hearing where he pressed SPLC President Bryan Fair on the SPLC’s targeting of Christian conservatives and organizations like Family Research Council and Turning Point USA. Watch clips of the hearing here and here.
Fox News published an exclusive report on the Stop SPLC Act, which you can read here.
While I don’t disagree with the intent of this, it may portend an opposing effort to do similar proposals to other organizations on the opposite end of spectrum like The Heritage Foundation, Kirk’s group, Turning Point, etc. Wait & we will see!