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H.R.4865 / 105th Congress

Checkoff for Charity Act of 1998

Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer Protection, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Oct 20, 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Checkoff for Charity Title II: Checkoff for Charity Commission Checkoff for Charity Act of 1998 - Title I: Checkoff for Charity - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit taxpayers to designate contributions to charities on their tax returns. Establishes the Checkoff for Charities Trust Fund. Title II: Checkoff for Charity Commission - Establishes in the Department of Commerce the Checkoff for Charity Commission which shall make arrangements for voluntary charitable, health, and welfare agencies that provide or support direct health and welfare services to individuals or their families to solicit contributions through designations made on individual tax returns. Requires annual reports from the Commission. Authorizes appropriations.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Engel, Eliot L. [D-NY-17] · D–NY

Committees

  • Energy and Commerce Committee
  • Ways and Means Committee
6 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer Protection, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.

  2. Referred to House Commerce

  3. Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  4. Referred to House Ways and Means

  5. Introduced in House

  6. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

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Source last updated: Aug 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.4865 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.4865 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.4865 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.4865 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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