US Lawmakers Demand IRS Crack Down on CCP-Linked Nonprofits, Citing New York Networks Connected to Foreign Influence Cases WASHINGTON — Two of the most powerful congressional committees, the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party and the House Ways and Means Committee, have jointly demanded that the Internal Revenue Service and Treasury Department take immediate enforcement action against Chinese Communist Party-linked organizations operating within America’s tax-exempt sector. The demand, outlined in a letter addressed to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and IRS chief Frank Bisignano, calls for a formal briefing by April 22 on steps the agencies are taking to address what the lawmakers describe as a direct threat to American democratic institutions. The letter cites evidence from congressional investigations, Department of Justice prosecutions, and major investigative journalism, including The New York Times’ August 2025 report, which found at least 53 tax-exempt organizations that had endorsed or raised money for political candidates in likely violation of federal rules against political campaign intervention. At least 19 of these groups were found to have clearly violated the prohibition. A nonprofit law professor told the Times that such actions were “totally out of bounds” and a clear breach of the limits Congress has imposed on tax-exempt status. The lawmakers allege that these organizations, including The People’s Forum, BreakThrough News, and Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research, serve as vehicles for CCP-aligned propaganda, domestic political disruption, and a coordinated campaign to sow chaos and division within the United States.#the_new_york_times #treasury_department #internal_revenue_service #house_ways_and_means_committee
US Temporarily Allows Sale Of Russian Oil At Sea Amid Middle East Conflict The United States has temporarily permitted the sale of Russian crude oil and petroleum products already at sea, according to a statement from the Treasury Department. The authorization, issued on Thursday, allows the delivery and sale of oil loaded on vessels on or before 12:01 am Eastern Time on March 12, through 12:01 am on April 11. This decision follows a similar temporary permit granted to India for stranded Russian oil sales earlier this month. The move comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, where a war between Iran and Israel has disrupted global energy markets. The conflict has severely impacted the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route through which approximately a fifth of the world’s oil transits. Energy prices have surged as a result of the instability, prompting the U.S. to take steps to stabilize global supply. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the authorization aims to "increase the global reach of existing supply" and "promote stability in global energy markets." However, he emphasized that the measure is a "narrowly tailored, short-term" action designed to avoid providing "significant financial benefit" to the Russian government. Bessent noted that Russia’s primary revenue source remains taxes assessed at the point of extraction, not the sale of oil at sea. The decision reflects broader U.S. efforts to balance economic pressures with sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. While the Treasury’s license eases restrictions on specific oil shipments, it does not signal a broader relaxation of sanctions. Bessent’s remarks also highlighted the administration’s focus on maintaining low energy prices amid the conflict, though the effectiveness of such measures remains uncertain.#iran #israel #strait_of_hormuz #scott_bessent #treasury_department
