House Ways and Means Committee Examines Foreign Influence in Nonprofits
The House Ways and Means Committee recently convened to scrutinize foreign influence in American non-profits. This session is part of an ongoing investigation led by Chair Jason Smith, focusing on Neville Roy Singham. Singham, a business mogul residing in China, has connections to entities linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Investigation Details
Chair Jason Smith has raised concerns regarding Singham’s financial network. He alleges that Singham funds American non-profits that disseminate pro-CCP narratives. Among the organizations identified in his inquiry are:
- BreakThrough News
- People’s Forum
- Tricontinental
- International Peoples’ Assembly
Smith has drafted letters demanding documentation from BreakThrough and Tricontinental. He expresses his distress over BreakThrough News’s connections with CCP-aligned groups.
Allegations Against Non-Profits
In his correspondence with BreakThrough’s Chair, Karla Reyes, Smith criticized the organization for promoting pro-CCP rhetoric. He noted a particular instance where BreakThrough released statements supporting Hamas after the October 7, 2023, attacks. Smith highlighted that BreakThrough is part of the International People’s Media Network, which features a coalition of organizations sharing similar agendas.
He also indicated that member groups collaborate with Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research, a Marxist organization recognized as a tax-exempt entity under 501(c)(3).
Concerns Over Tax-Exempt Status
Smith’s letters question whether these organizations should retain their tax-exempt status. He particularly referenced a conference in China funded by the CCP, attended by representatives from BreakThrough News.
Addressing Vijay Prashad, the executive director of Tricontinental, Smith reiterated concerns regarding the organization’s ties to Singham and queried whether they merit their tax-exempt classification. Tricontinental had previously received $700,000 from the United Community Fund, a foundation associated with Singham.
The Broader Implications
Smith pointed out that reports suggest Tricontinental and its affiliates may contribute to spreading Chinese propaganda, possibly collaborating with foreign governments. Additionally, Smith noted that Prashad is a senior fellow at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, associated with the Chinese Ministry of Education.
As the investigation unfolds, the House Ways and Means Committee continues to evaluate the extent of foreign influence in U.S. non-profits, emphasizing the connections between these groups and foreign governments.
The National News Desk pursued comments from the People’s Forum, Tricontinental, and the International Peoples’ Assembly but could not reach BreakThrough News.
