Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C.-The National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP) applauds Senator Max Baucus, Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, who today introduced an amendment to S. 2349 that would prevent members of Congress from using charities for personal or political gain. Read NCRP's letter to Sen. Baucus.

"This amendment is a significant and substantial step toward solving one of the most egregious lobbying problems in Washington, D.C. Lawmakers should not be allowed to conduct their backroom dealings under the guise of charity," said Jeff Krehely, NCRP deputy director.

NCRP began exposing the political abuse of charities in 2003, when NCRP urged the Internal Revenue Service to deny tax-exempt status to a highly questionable charity that disgraced former Majority Leader Tom DeLay was attempting to establish. NCRP was also one of the first organizations to challenge Jack Abramoff's less-than-charitable brand of philanthropy exhibited by the likes of Jack Abramoff, Sens. Bill Frist, Rick Santorum, and Ted Stevens. Earlier this year, we issued a statement that outlined important loopholes that need to be plugged to stem further abuse of philanthropy by lobbyists and lawmakers.

NCRP strongly encourages members of Congress to support this amendment as a positive step toward solid lobbying and ethics reform. In addition, NCRP adamantly advocates for the full disclosure of all contributions to 501(c) organizations established, controlled, or strongly influenced by members of Congress or their staffs. Full disclosure is crucial to sincere ethics and lobbying reform and would help reestablish public trust in both Congress and the charitable sector.