According to The Washington Post, Republicans have secured enough votes to pass their proposed tax package. The vote could take place as soon as tonight.
Yesterday, AHP learned that that Senator Lankford has filed a universal charitable deduction amendment. The amendment to the Internal Revenue Code would allow above-the-line deductions for charitable contributions for individuals not itemizing deductions. As we have stated before, AHP supports a universal charitable tax deduction, and we support Senator Lankford in this effort.
We have also learned, however, that Senator McConnell currently plans to include a provision to repeal the Johnson Amendment in the Senate bill. AHP does not support a repeal of the Johnson Amendment. We also hear that Senate leadership still may not fully understand the damaging impact of a Johnson Amendment repeal. Tonight, the Senate is debating the bill.
If you would like to help, contact Senate Majority Leader McConnell (R-KY), Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT), and Senator John Thune (R-SD) to make it clear that a Johnson Amendment repeal is the wrong choice for charities, their communities, and the tax reform bill. Send a message through social media (preferred) or via email saying "Do not repeal the Johnson Amendment" through the following link: www.independentsector.org/takeaction.
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Sarah Busching
Comms Mgr
Association for Healthcare Philanthropy
Falls Church VA
(703) 532-3514
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