US congressman urges humanitarians to 'stay out of politics'

Stay out of politics. That was the advice that U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, gave to nearly 250 global development professionals earlier this week — all of whom had gathered for a forum hosted by InterAction, an alliance of U.S.-based international aid agencies. “Your mission is to save lives. It’s not to be a lobbyist,” said McCaul, speaking from a stage in downtown Washington, D.C. “I know all of you are passionate about your work. But it’s also important to know the confines of what your job is and what it’s not.” Many in the audience frowned. Others shifted uncomfortably in their seats, while a few more raised their hands — questioning how McCaul could expect humanitarian workers, global development professionals, and others to remain silent while working in places like Gaza, where thousands of civilians and hundreds of aid workers have been killed. “Can you help me understand why calling for a cease-fire is political?” one World Vision staff member asked McCaul, a Republican from Texas. Despite the frosty reception, the congressman pushed on. It wasn’t that he necessarily disagreed with their viewpoints, but stepping into politics could “draw ire” from politicians on Capitol Hill, McCaul warned. “I just happen to be an attorney, and a 501(c)(3) cannot lobby,” McCaul said, referring to how the U.S. tax system defines a nonprofit organization. “If you start saying Israel is to blame for this, my side of the aisle is not going to be happy about that.” But according to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, 501(c)(3)s can engage in some lobbying, but too much of such activity "risks loss of tax-exempt status." "Organizations may conduct educational meetings, prepare and distribute educational materials, or otherwise consider public policy issues in an educational manner without jeopardizing their tax-exempt status," guidance from the IRS reads. McCaul did caveat that organizations could push for funding, and noted that everyone has a First Amendment right to free speech. Still, his main point was people could enter "dangerous territory" if speaking on behalf of their entities. For those like Patricia McIlreavy, the president of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy nonprofit, McCaul’s advice was hard to square. “I really want to thank you for your guidance, but how do we navigate that space?” she asked McCaul. “Us ceding our voice is actually political.” It’s something aid groups have been trying to navigate since the Israel-Hamas war began. Organizations have been blasted for not supporting Palestinians enough, and in the same breath, criticized for supporting Palestine over Israel. At the same time, more humanitarian workers have died in Gaza than any other crisis since records began, according to the Aid Worker Security Database. From Oct. 7 to today, 259 humanitarians have been killed in the besieged strip, 99% of whom were Palestinian nationals. For months, groups have been forced to choose between staying neutral, as McCaul advised doing, and pushing for a cease-fire. And even Cindy McCain, who McCaul repeatedly commended for speaking in “strategic terms” without getting “political,” has called for a humanitarian cease-fire on multiple mass media outlets, including CNN and NBC. “It’s a misconception that neutrality means silence,” McIlreavy said to Devex after McCaul left the InterAction stage. “If the 501(c)(3)s aren’t speaking out, who is?” Update, June 27, 2024: This article has been updated to clarify that 501(c)(3) organizations are allowed to lobby, as long as it does not constitute a "substantial part" of their activities.