Legislative Round-Up | November 2023
Congress Grinds Forward with Another Budget Deadline Fast Approaching
The interim funding package adopted by Congress last month runs out on January 19 for part of the federal government, with the remaining funding for other parts of the government expiring on February 2.
These deadlines will be quickly upon us, an issue of critical concern for charitable organizations. Nonprofit organizations (NPOs) are already being pushed to the limit to help people in need.
Should the government, and therefore government support programs, shut down, NPOs will be pushed even further to meet their vital missions.
Universal Charitable Deduction
Tuesday, November 28, a letter calling for enactment of the Universal Charitable Deduction legislation was sent to the four key congressional leaders on tax policy – Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-OR), Finance Committee Ranking Republican Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ways & Means Committee Chair Jason Smith (R-MO), and Ways & Means Committee Ranking Democrat Richard Neal (D-MA). The letter included the names of over 1,000 charitable organizations, including The Nonprofit Alliance (TNPA), representing all 50 states. It was purposely sent to the congressional leaders on Giving Tuesday to emphasize the importance of Universal Charitable Deduction legislation to the sector.
Further, we are showing solid progress in the Senate on S. 566, the Charitable Act, led by Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Chris Coons (D-DE). There are currently 20 cosponsors — 10 Democrats and 10 Republicans. TNPA’s efforts, in close coordination with Senators Lankford and Coons, continue to yield progress, and we anticipate several more Senators signing on to their legislation in the coming weeks. In the House, H.R. 3435 now has 28 cosponsors. This House legislation has language identical to its Senate counterpart and has the same title, the Charitable Act. This effort is led by Representatives Blake Moore (R-UT), Danny Davis (D-IL), Michelle Steel (R-CA), and Chris Pappas (D-NH). TNPA will continue to work closely with these active leaders on the issue.
Legislation in the States
With most state legislatures currently in recess, there is not a lot to report, but that will soon change as most states will reconvene their legislatures in January 2024. Data privacy legislation will continue to be a hot topic, with New York state expected to consider a state privacy statute again, that, as currently drafted, would cover NPOs. TNPA will follow the latest news from the states and keep you up to date.
Read more about new state laws and proposed state bills that could impact the work of the nonprofit sector by visiting TNPA’s State Legislation webpage.
Congressional Spotlight: Senator Gary Peters (D-MI)
Each month TNPA introduces you to a member of Congress who is a leader on legislative matters important to our TNPA community, with representation from both parties.
Q&A with Senator Gary Peters
TNPA has worked closely with Senator Gary Peters of Michigan. TNPA had the opportunity to ask the Senator a few questions, and share them here:
When was the moment you realized you were serious about getting into public service?
When I was a student at Alma College, I spent a semester as an intern for Congressman Don Albosta. On the last day of my internship, I sat on the steps of the Lincoln memorial and told myself that I hoped to come back later in my career as a member of Congress. Many years later, on the day before I was sworn into the House of Representatives, I took my family to that very spot, and reflected on the journey that had led me to public service.
Author: Mark Micali
Mark Micali is Vice President, Government Affairs for The Nonprofit Alliance and has spent his career on Capitol Hill. You can reach him at mmicali@tnpa.org.
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