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The Republican-led House Committee on Ways and Means is launching a probe into alleged foreign influence in American nonprofits, with a particular focus on organizations suspected of receiving funding from overseas entities to foment domestic unrest.
The committee, chaired by Representative Jason Smith, will hold a hearing Tuesday morning titled “Foreign Influence in American Non-profits: Unmasking Threats from Beijing and Beyond,” streaming live on the committee’s website. Expert witnesses will include Capital Research Center president Scott Walter, Americans for Public Trust Executive Director Caitlin Sutherland, and Public Citizen co-founder Robert Weissman, among others.
According to the committee’s press release, the investigation will examine how “foreign actors have funneled millions of dollars through networks of tax-exempt organizations to create, support, and fuel disruption and illegal activity across the country.”
At the center of the inquiry is Neville Roy Singham, an American-born tech entrepreneur and self-described Marxist-Leninist now residing in Shanghai. Congressional investigators allege Singham has channeled funds to multiple U.S.-based nonprofits including the People’s Forum, CodePink, BreakThrough BT Media, the ANSWER Coalition, and the Party for Socialism and Liberation.
“For too long, foreign actors have gotten away with abusing our tax-exempt sector to sow division and chaos in our country,” Smith posted on social media Tuesday morning. “Today, we’re putting them on notice. Going to be a late night in China for Shanghai Singham!”
Over the past year, investigative reporting has documented patterns of coordinated protests by socialist, communist, and Marxist groups that appear to align with strategic interests of foreign governments, particularly China. These groups allegedly work in concert with Democratic Socialists of America to mobilize activists for street demonstrations targeting federal immigration enforcement and other governmental functions.
“Tax-exempt status is a privilege not a right,” Smith told reporters. “Nonprofits must remain accountable and refuse to act as instruments of hostile foreign governments.”
Hours before the hearing, Smith escalated his investigation by sending formal letters demanding records from two organizations: BreakThrough and Tricontinental. The letters warn that both tax-exempt entities may be operating outside their lawful purpose and potentially functioning as unregistered foreign agents while enjoying U.S. tax benefits.
The committee’s investigation describes what it calls a “full-spectrum operation,” where funding aligned with foreign interests flows into tax-exempt nonprofits that produce ideological research, media narratives, and social media messaging. This content is then deployed through coordinated protest actions across the United States.
Congressional investigators characterize the Singham network as a malign foreign influence operation that allegedly exploits U.S. nonprofit laws to inject anti-American propaganda into domestic protest movements and create internal discord.
“The Ways and Means Committee continues to investigate how foreign money and foreign-linked networks are funneled through tax-exempt entities to sow discord and unrest in our society,” Smith stated. “That’s why we’re demanding answers from Tricontinental and BreakThrough about their funding streams, activities and communications with CCP-linked individuals, including Neville Roy Singham.”
Smith has made clear the potential consequences for organizations found to be violating their tax-exempt status: “If the evidence shows these groups are acting as conduits for CCP-aligned propaganda or functioning like foreign agents while enjoying U.S. tax benefits, their tax-exempt status should be revoked immediately,” he said. “We’re going to follow the money and demand accountability to put a stop to Beijing’s exploitation of our tax-exempt sector.”
The hearing represents an escalation in congressional scrutiny of nonprofit organizations with potential foreign connections and raises questions about the boundaries of legitimate activism versus foreign-influenced operations in American civil society.
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16 Comments
Interesting to see this House probe into alleged foreign funding of American non-profits. It’s a complex issue, but shining a light on any potential improper influence is important for democracy.
Agreed. Transparency around the sources of non-profit funding is vital, especially when it comes to organizations that may be trying to shape domestic politics and policy.
While I’m generally skeptical of overblown ‘foreign influence’ narratives, the specifics in this case seem concerning. If there’s evidence of Chinese or other overseas money being funneled to US non-profits, that warrants scrutiny.
Absolutely. Rigorous investigation is needed to determine the facts, rather than relying on partisan rhetoric. The integrity of our civic institutions is at stake.
Interesting to hear about this alleged foreign influence in American nonprofits. I’ll be curious to see what the House hearing uncovers. Could shed light on some shady funding sources behind certain organizations.
Indeed, foreign interference in domestic affairs is always concerning. Glad to see Congress taking a closer look at this issue.
This is a sensitive and politically-charged topic, but I think it’s prudent for Congress to investigate claims of foreign money infiltrating US non-profits. The integrity of our civil society is at stake.
Well said. Maintaining the independence and legitimacy of American non-profit organizations is crucial. Any evidence of improper foreign influence needs to be brought to light.
Hmm, this Neville Roy Singham character sounds like an interesting figure at the center of these allegations. I’ll be watching the hearing closely to learn more about his potential ties to US nonprofits.
Yes, his background as a tech entrepreneur and self-described Marxist-Leninist definitely raises some red flags. Curious to see what the investigation turns up.
This is an important topic that deserves scrutiny. Foreign actors trying to stir up unrest in the US through nonprofits is a serious threat that needs to be addressed.
I agree, the use of tax-exempt organizations as conduits for foreign influence is very troubling. Transparency around funding sources is critical.
It’s good that Congress is taking a hard look at how foreign money may be infiltrating American non-profit groups. Transparency and accountability are crucial, especially for organizations that wield influence.
Agreed. Domestic politics should be shaped by US citizens, not foreign interests. Probing these alleged funding channels is a responsible step.
I’m skeptical of claims of widespread ‘foreign influence’ being used as a political cudgel. But if there’s credible evidence of specific nonprofits receiving suspect overseas funding, that warrants investigation.
Valid point. Accusations of foreign meddling can sometimes be overblown. But if the House probe uncovers legitimate concerns, that information should be made public.