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House panel presses nonprofits on 'Freedom 250' donor transparency and use of federal funds
Summary
Lawmakers questioned nonprofit witnesses about Freedom 250, an LLC tied to America 250 events, pressing concerns that VIP sponsorships, anonymous donations and the transfer of federal task-order funds could mix public money with private influence.
The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on [public lands] examined how private philanthropy is being used to stage parts of the national semiquincentennial, pressing nonprofit witnesses on whether a private entity called Freedom 250 is selling access, concealing donors and using taxpayer-funded awards to bankroll partisan events.
Ranking Member Jill Dexter opened the session with a charge that she said summed up the panel’s concerns: "Freedom 250 was built to do three things: sell access, hide the donors, and use proceeds to pay for propaganda that whitewashes history," she said. Dexter said the group’s published sponsor tiers list VIP packages beginning at $500,000 and up to $2.5 million for private photo opportunities with the president.
The committee’s questions centered on three areas: who pays for events and how the money is routed; whether private or foreign donors can obtain access or influence; and what role the National Park Foundation (NPF) and other congressionally chartered nonprofits…
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