 |
Rep Woolsey Threatens Catholic Bishops |
 |
 |
Prayer-Soldier writes "
Rep Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, wrote an editorial, posted by Politico on 9 Nov 09, which criticizes the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for their promotion of the Stupak amendment. In the editorial, Woolsy wrote, “I expect political hardball on any legislation as important as the health care bill. I just didn’t expect it from the United States Council (sic) of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).” Woolsy then questioned, “Who elected them to Congress?”
Woolsey complained that the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops bullied Congress into adopting the Stupak amendment which prohibits the use of taxpayer funds for purposes of abortion. Woolsey also complained that the “political effort was subsidized by taxpayers, since the Council enjoys tax-exempt status.”
Woolsey's implication is that religious institutions should remain silent in political affairs given they are tax-exempt organizations. Woolsey admits, that “The IRS is less restrictive about church involvement in efforts to influence legislation than it is about involvement in campaigns and elections.”
The law enforced by the IRS, to which Woolsey alludes, prohibits charities and churches with tax exempt status from engaging in political campaign activity in support of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. The law does not prevent such organizations from engagement in some limited advocation for or against legislation, to which Woolsey threatens, “Given the political behavior of USCCB in this case, maybe it shouldn’t be.”
According to a 12 Jul 07 IRS explanation, “In 1954, Congress approved an amendment by Sen. Lyndon Johnson to prohibit 501(c)(3) organizations, which includes charities and churches, from engaging in any political campaign activity. To the extent Congress has revisited the ban over the years, it has in fact strengthened the ban. The most recent change came in 1987 when Congress amended the language to clarify that the prohibition also applies to statements opposing candidates.”
The explanation continues, “The IRS has published Revenue Ruling 2007-41, which outlines how churches, and all 501(c)(3) organizations, can stay within the law regarding the ban on political activity. Also, the ban by Congress is on political campaign activity regarding a candidate; churches and other 501(c)(3) organizations can engage in a limited amount of lobbying (including ballot measures) and advocate for or against issues that are in the political arena. The IRS also has provided guidance regarding the difference between advocating for a candidate and advocating for legislation.”
Rep Woolsey (D-CA) Editorial
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1109/29336.html
IRS Explanation of Charities, Churches and Politics
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=161131,00.html"
|
|
|
Posted on Wednesday, November 11 @ 00:01:19 MST by admin
What is Social Bookmarking?
|
|
|
|
| "Rep Woolsey Threatens Catholic Bishops" | Login/Create an Account | 0 comments |
|
| | The comments are owned by the poster. We aren't responsible for their content. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| No Comments Allowed for Anonymous, please register |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Related Links |
|
|
|
Article Rating |
|
|
|
Options |
|
|
