03
June 2019
Past Event
The Constitutional Case for Section 501(c)(3): A Historical Perspective

The Constitutional Case for Section 501(c)(3): A Historical Perspective

Past Event
Hudson Institute, Washington, D.C. Headquarters
June 03, 2019
03
June 2019
Past Event

1201 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 400
Washington, DC 20004

Speakers:
Philip Hamburger

Maurice and Hilda Friedman Professor of Law, Columbia Law School, Columbia University; and President, New Civil Liberties Alliance

harold_furchtgott_roth
Harold Furchtgott-Roth

Senior Fellow and Director, Center for the Economics of the Internet

Hudson Institute will host Columbia University’s Philip Hamburger for a discussion of section 501c3 of the Internal Revenue Code. Revenue subsections do not ordinarily stir the passions of Americans. But section 501c3 may be an exception with its exemption of religious, educational, and charitable organizations from federal income taxes. At the same time, it denies this exemption if an organization engages in campaign speech, devotes a substantial part of their activities to propaganda, or makes any other attempts to influence legislation. Churches, charities, and non-profit schools must therefore choose between paying a tax and exercising their full freedom of political speech and petitioning.

Professor Hamburger will consider the section from a historical perspective involving extreme ideological and theological anxieties. On the basis of this history, he reconsiders whether the section is in conflict with the Constitution. The discussion will be moderated by Hudson Senior Fellow Harold Furchtgott-Roth.

Related Events
04
August 2026
Virtual Event | Online Only
Taiwan’s Ever-Changing Security Environment
Featured Speakers:
Riley Walters
Dr. Michael Hunzeker
Dr. Liang-chih Evans Chen
Can Kasapoğlu
Getty Images
04
August 2026
Virtual Event | Online Only
Taiwan’s Ever-Changing Security Environment

Join Hudson Institute for a discussion on Taiwan’s rapidly changing security and defense industry. 

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Riley Walters
Dr. Michael Hunzeker
Dr. Liang-chih Evans Chen
Can Kasapoğlu
28
July 2026
Past Event
The US-Armenia Relationship and the Future of the South Caucasus: A Conversation with Ambassador Narek Mkrtchyan
Featured Speakers:
H.E. Narek Mkrtchyan
Michael Doran
Getty Images
28
July 2026
Past Event
The US-Armenia Relationship and the Future of the South Caucasus: A Conversation with Ambassador Narek Mkrtchyan

Join Senior Fellow Michael Doran for a candid conversation with H.E. Narek Mkrtchyan, ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to the United States of America, as they discuss the developments, challenges, and opportunities defining the US-Armenia relationship.  

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
H.E. Narek Mkrtchyan
Michael Doran
24
July 2026
Past Event
Taiwan’s National Mobilization Against the China Threat
Featured Speakers:
Chi-Chang Tsai
Pao-Yang Shen
Ting-Yu Wang
Miles Yu
Taiwan Defense
24
July 2026
Past Event
Taiwan’s National Mobilization Against the China Threat

Please join Hudson Institute’s China Center as Miles Yu hosts a panel with key members of Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan and the Democratic Progressive Party to examine Taiwan’s mobilization efforts against the CCP’s increasing threats.

Taiwan Defense
Featured Speakers:
Chi-Chang Tsai
Pao-Yang Shen
Ting-Yu Wang
Miles Yu
22
July 2026
Past Event
A Conversation on US Communications Law
Featured Speakers:
Harold Furchtgott-Roth
Robert M. McDowell
Kirk R. Arner
Arielle Roth
The seal for the Federal Communications Commission at FCC headquarters on February 18, 2026, in Washington, DC. (Getty Images)
22
July 2026
Past Event
A Conversation on US Communications Law

Join Hudson Institute Senior Fellow Robert McDowell for a discussion of the book and communications law with the authors, Harold Furchtgott-Roth, Kirk Arner, and Arielle Roth.

The seal for the Federal Communications Commission at FCC headquarters on February 18, 2026, in Washington, DC. (Getty Images)
Featured Speakers:
Harold Furchtgott-Roth
Robert M. McDowell
Kirk R. Arner
Arielle Roth