H.R.2498 - End Dark Money Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 2498, the "End Dark Money Act," seeks to repeal Section 123 of the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2024. This section currently restricts the IRS's ability to use funds to bring transparency to the political activities of certain nonprofit organizations. The bill aims to remove this restriction for fiscal year 2025.
Expected Effects
If enacted, the IRS would regain the authority to use funds to investigate and regulate the political activities of nonprofit organizations. This could lead to increased disclosure requirements for these groups. It may also affect the level of political activity undertaken by such organizations.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency in political spending by non-profit organizations.
- Enhanced ability of the IRS to enforce regulations regarding political activity.
- Greater public awareness of the sources of funding for political campaigns and issues.
- Level playing field for organizations involved in political advocacy.
- Reduced potential for hidden influence in elections and policy debates.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased IRS scrutiny and targeting of specific non-profit organizations based on their political views.
- Possible chilling effect on free speech and political expression by non-profits.
- Increased administrative burden and compliance costs for non-profit organizations.
- Concerns about government overreach and infringement on privacy rights.
- Risk of politically motivated investigations and audits.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill touches upon First Amendment rights related to freedom of speech and association. While increased transparency can be seen as promoting a more informed electorate, restrictions on the use of funds by the IRS could also be viewed as potentially infringing upon these rights. The constitutionality would likely depend on the specific regulations implemented by the IRS and how they balance transparency with the protection of free speech.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).