News Release

Apostle Asks Senate Finance Committee to Preserve Deductions for Charitable Giving

Elder Dallin H. Oaks, an apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, testified before the Senate Finance Committee today, imploring government leaders not to reduce the tax deduction for personal charitable donations. Elder Oaks was joined by other religious leaders and leaders of charitable organizations and scholars.

“While I appear here as a religious leader, the possible impairment of the charitable deduction in order to enhance tax revenues is not a religious issue. It is not a political issue. It is not even an economic issue. It poses a question about the nature and future of America,” Elder Oaks said.

View video of the Senate Finance Committee hearing (Elder Oaks’ remarks begin at the 62:00 minute mark): http://finance.senate.gov/hearings/watch/?id=915d5477-5056-a032-524b-feac6e9e3321

Read Elder Oaks’ full testimony submitted to the Senate Finance Committee on the Senate website (.pdf): http://finance.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Oaks%20Testimony1.pdf

Read the testimonies of members of the Senate Finance Committee and others, which are also posted on the Senate website: http://finance.senate.gov/hearings/hearing/?id=915d5477-5056-a032-524b-feac6e9e3321

Style Guide Note:When reporting about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please use the complete name of the Church in the first reference. For more information on the use of the name of the Church, go to our online Style Guide.