For Immediate Release

August 29th, 2016 
Contact: Bobby Rodrigo
Phone: 301.259.1869
Email: [email protected]
Web: coffeepartyusa.com

Coffee Party USA Opposes REG 134417–13

Coffee Party USA officially opposes and encourages its one million social media followers to vigorously oppose REG 134417–13. The rule, originally written to apply to 501(c)4 social welfare organizations, was later suggested by IRS Commissioner John Koskinen could be applied across the board to all categories of non-profit organizations, including labor unions, educational institutions, and charities. This is a clumsy attempt to close the loophole which allows dark money to influence our elections.

Enforcement of this regulation by the IRS would result in free speech for PACs and SuperPACs but disallow 501(c)4 organizations from reporting on voting records of elected officials, interviewing candidates or holding debates.  This infringement on education, information and free speech would be a consequence of this overboard regulation.

The only organizations advocating public interests and citizen engagement with our government are non-profit organizations.  These issue-advocacy organizations must not be silenced by this proposed regulation that will silence their advocacy and education efforts.

SuperPACs, candidates, private interests and for-profit organizations should not be the only voices in elections.  The Coffee Party USA is a 501(c)4 and this rule would negatively impact our ability to fulfill our mission which supports civil discourse and encourages citizen engagement with elections.  REG 134417-13 is contrary to these beliefs and the implementation of it must be opposed.