# Plain Language Summary: Free Speech Fairness Act

Right now, charities and nonprofits that have tax-exempt status (meaning they don't pay taxes because they serve the public good) face strict rules about what they can say regarding politics and elections. If they make statements about political candidates or campaigns, they risk losing their tax-exempt status, even if those statements are directly related to their actual mission. This bill would change that by allowing these organizations to speak about political campaigns without penalty, as long as the statements fit naturally into their regular work and don't cost them extra money to make.

Here's what this means in practice: Imagine an environmental nonprofit that normally educates the public about climate change. Under current rules, if they released a statement saying "Candidate X has a poor environmental record," they could technically be violating tax law and jeopardizing their nonprofit status. Under this bill, they could make that statement without fear, because it flows directly from their mission of environmental education. Similarly, a civil rights organization could comment on candidates' positions on voting rights, or a healthcare nonprofit could discuss candidates' healthcare proposals. The key requirement is that the statement has to be something the organization would naturally say as part of its regular work, and it can't require them to spend significant extra money to communicate it.

The practical effect is that nonprofits and charities would have more freedom to speak on political issues that relate to their core mission. Critics worry this could blur the line between legitimate advocacy and campaign activity, potentially allowing organizations to become more politically active while keeping their tax benefits. Supporters argue it protects free speech and allows organizations to fully advocate for their causes without government restrictions.

Free Speech Fairness Act

Scalise, Steve

Free Speech Fairness Act This bill permits a tax-exempt organization to make certain statements related to a political campaign without losing its tax-exempt status. An organization may not lose its tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or be deemed to have participated in, or intervened in any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office, solely because of the content of any statement that (1) is made in the ordinary course of the organization's regular and customary activities in carrying out its exempt purpose, and (2) results in the organization incurring not more than de minimis incremental expenses.