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HR 5053 114th Congress House

Preventing IRS Abuse and Protecting Free Speech Act

Official title: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to prohibit the Secretary of the Treasury from requiring that the identity of contributors to 501(c) organizations be included in annual returns.

Introduced: May 12, 2016 See on congress.gov
Taxation Charitable contributionsTax administration and collection, taxpayersTax-exempt organizations
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This bill died when the 114th Congress ended
It never became law before the 114th Congress (2015–2016) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 21 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 15, 2016
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Jun 14, 2016
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 240 - 182 (Roll no. 303). (text: CR H3777-3778)
Jun 14, 2016
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jun 14, 2016
On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 180 - 238 (Roll no. 302).
Jun 14, 2016
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3785-3786)
Jun 14, 2016
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Sarbanes motion to recommit with instructions, the Chair put the question on adoption of the motion and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Sarbanes demanded the yeas and nays, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the motion to recommit until later in the legislative day.
Jun 14, 2016
The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection. (consideration: CR H3784)
Jun 14, 2016
DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Sarbanes motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment to insert a section prohibiting against the IRS requiring 501(c) organizations contributor identity when a 501(c) organization directly or indirectly participates in any political campaign.
Jun 14, 2016
Mr. Sarbanes moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Ways and Means. (consideration: CR H3783-3784; text: CR H3784)
Jun 14, 2016
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H3783)
Jun 14, 2016
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5053.
Jun 14, 2016
The resolution provides for 1 hour of general debate on both bills.
Jun 14, 2016
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 778. (consideration: CR H3777-3784)
Jun 14, 2016
UNANIMOUS CONSENT - Mr. Brady (TX) asked unanimous consent that the question on adoption of the motion to recommit on H.R. 5053 be subject to postponement as though under Clause 8 of Rule 20. Agreed to without objection.
Jun 13, 2016
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 778 Reported to House. The resolution provides for 1 hour of general debate on both bills.
Jun 9, 2016
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 475.
Jun 9, 2016
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 114-612.
Apr 28, 2016
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 15.
Apr 28, 2016
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Apr 26, 2016
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Apr 26, 2016
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 2
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Jun 14, 2016 House · vote #303 On Passage Passed 240–182 See who voted →
Jun 14, 2016 House · vote #302 On Motion to Recommit with Instructions Failed 180–238 See who voted →
 Amendments to this bill 1

Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
HAMDT 1,174 – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 778, the amendment in the nature of a subsitute consisting of the text o… Pending –
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 Latest action June 15, 2016

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on June 9, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Preventing IRS Abuse and Protecting Free Speech Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit the Internal Revenue Service from requiring a tax-exempt organization to include in annual returns the name, address, or other identifying information of any contributor.

The bill includes exceptions for: (1) required disclosures regarding prohibited tax shelter transactions; and (2) contributions by the organization's officers, directors, or five highest compensated employees (including compensation paid by related organizations).

 Related & companion bills 2
  • HRES 778 Related bill Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5053) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to prohibit the Secretar…
  • S 3057 Identical bill Preventing IRS Abuse and Protecting Free Speech Act
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 13
All 13 Republican 7
R
Issa, Darrell
California · Jun 9, 2016
 R
Loudermilk, Barry
Georgia · Jun 9, 2016
 R
Newhouse, Dan
Washington · Jun 9, 2016
Noem, Kristi
· Jun 9, 2016
Rice, Tom
· Jun 9, 2016
Chaffetz, Jason
· May 24, 2016
 R
Grothman, Glenn
Wisconsin · May 24, 2016
Hensarling, Jeb
· May 24, 2016
Black, Diane
· May 17, 2016
 R
Gosar, Paul A.
Arizona · May 17, 2016
Graves, Tom
· May 17, 2016
 R
Wagner, Ann
Missouri · May 17, 2016
 R
Harris, Andy
Maryland · May 12, 2016
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5053: Preventing IRS Abuse and Protecting Free Speech Act. 114th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-5053/
MLA
"H.R. 5053: Preventing IRS Abuse and Protecting Free Speech Act." 114th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-5053/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5053, 114th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-5053/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5053: Preventing IRS Abuse and Protecting Free Speech Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-5053/)
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