More than 600 nonprofit and nonpartisan organizations across the country have united to denounce a politically motivated effort by Republican leaders in Congress to demand information from hundreds of nonprofit organizations without basis or evidence of wrongdoing. The letter comes in the wake of inquiries into nonprofit organizations and, this week, two congressional hearings.

The letter states:

“These letters of inquiry target civic organizations that have provided services under valid federal contracts that were authorized and appropriated by Congress, filling a need the government cannot perform itself. No allegations of wrongdoing, or evidence, is provided for these extraordinary and burdensome inquiries. This effort appears to be an attempt to weaponize Congressional power and create the appearance of wrongdoing against those who the signers believe disagree with their political agenda. The process these lawmakers intend to drag these law abiding, community serving organizations through is the punishment."

“As nonprofit and nonpartisan organizations, we work in communities across the country to feed the hungry; house those without shelter; protect our air and water, our rights to vote, worship, and organize; we fight for consumers, workers, and our children; we advocate for civil and human rights at home and abroad; we have made it safer to drive on our roads, easier to start a business, and healthier to live in our cities. We span the full ideological spectrum. And today, we stand together for our democracy and in solidarity with those nonprofit organizations unjustly targeted by these Congressional letters.”

The full letter is here.