OKC Standard

Senator James Lankford and Congressman Greg Steube have introduced the Safeguarding Charity Act to uphold the independence of tax-exempt organizations, including churches, nonprofits, and private schools. This legislation aims to protect these entities from federal litigation, which could impose strict regulations on them.

"Tax-exempt organizations should not live in fear of federal control every day because courts want to redefine the meaning of tax-exempt status," said Senator Lankford. He emphasized that tax-exempt status should not equate to receiving federal funds and should not be wielded as political leverage.

Congressman Steube supported this view, stating, "Radical judges do not have the authority to twist federal law and force religious institutions to choose between their convictions and compliance." Steube highlighted that the bill is about shielding religious and charitable institutions from governmental overreach.

Greg Baylor of Alliance Defending Freedom also commented, "Charities and other nonprofits provide invaluable services to their communities." He clarified that nonprofits' tax-exempt status should not be deemed as federal financial assistance, which would lead to stringent federal laws adversely impacting their operations.

P. George Tryfiates from the Association of Christian Schools International praised the legislation, asserting, "This legislation is critical to set the record straight: an organization’s nonprofit status is not the receipt of federal financial assistance."

Rabbi Abba Cohen from Agudath Israel of America expressed support for the act, stating, "It will enshrine into law that which has generally been understood that ‘tax-exempt status’ does not constitute ‘federal financial assistance.’"

The initiative has garnered support from several organizations, such as Philanthropy Roundtable and the Family Research Council. This move follows Lankford's previous efforts in 2023 to incentivize charitable contributions through the Charitable Act.