June 18, 2026 - WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, Senator Rick Scott released the following:
Today, U.S. Senator Rick Scott called on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to strip tax-exempt status from CodePink, a supposed-
501(c)(3) educational organization, citing substantial lobbying and foreign actors attempting influence and undermine U.S. interests using CodePink through the leftist group.
In the letter to IRS CEO Frank Bisignano, Senator Scott cited the CodePink’s recent trip to Cuba, an American adversary, where they stayed in luxury hotels and praised the evil, communist Castro/Dias-Canel regime. CodePink is also currently under investigation for potentially violating U.S. law as part of the trip.
Senator Scott also highlighted CodePink’s ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), a direct foreign adversary of the United States.
Senator Scott wrote, “When credible evidence suggests that a tax-exempt organization may be receiving material support from, coordinating with, or advancing the interests of a foreign adversary, there must be a thorough, impartial, and fact-based examination. CodePink has long been connected to shady characters, acted inappropriately, and seemingly broken the rules and standards established for non-profit entities. Over six years, roughly one-fourth of their funding has come from organizations tied to someone who ‘finances its (the Chinese Communist Party’s) propaganda worldwide.’”
Read Senator Scott’s full letter HERE or below:
Dear Mr. Bisignano:
First, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the Department of the Treasury’s recent inquiry regarding CodePink’s March trip to Cuba. I was horrified to see that CodePink members traveled to Cuba and stayed in five-star hotels, while completely ignoring innocent political prisoners being starved and tortured. Thank you for looking into this matter, and I look forward to your findings.
Additionally, I write to bring your attention to CodePink’s tax-exempt status as a 501(c)(3) educational organization. The American people have a right to expect that the substantial privileges associated with tax-exempt status are reserved for organizations that operate independently and in furtherance of legitimate charitable, educational, and public interest purposes. Furthermore, organizations benefiting from federal tax-exempt status should comply fully with both the letter and the spirit of the law.
Recent concerns regarding CodePink and its reported connections to individuals and entities linked to the Chinese Communist Party have raised serious questions that warrant scrutiny. When credible evidence suggests that a tax-exempt organization may be receiving material support from, coordinating with, or advancing the interests of a foreign adversary, there must be a thorough, impartial, and fact-based examination.
CodePink has long been connected to shady characters, acted inappropriately, and seemingly broken the rules and standards established for non-profit entities. Over six years, roughly one-fourth of their funding has come from organizations tied to someone who “finances its (the Chinese Communist Party’s) propaganda worldwide.” These funds were suspiciously channeled through a system that intentionally concealed giving. Moreover, CodePink encourages travel to China and hosts pro-China webinars where they praise the Chinese communist revolution.
While this connection to the CCP is concerning and warrants its own investigation, CodePink’s day-to-day activities raise questions about its eligibility as a 501(c)(3) organization. Per Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance, a “501(c)(3) organization may engage in some lobbying, but too much lobbying activity risks loss of tax-exempt status.” CodePink’s own website details how it was founded for the express purpose of lobbying Nancy Pelosi and other members of Congress to “break with the party leadership” during the Iraq War. The organization has never ceased lobbying Congress, boasting that it has “become famous for confronting the warmongers, in the halls and hearing rooms of Congress, the national conventions of both the Republicans and Democrats, political fundraisers, and in the streets.” CodePink has even held private meetings with the House Select Committee on China, attesting to members that there is no forced labor in Xinjiang, despite extensive reporting to the contrary. This appears to be a clear violation of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, which prohibits substantial activities that carry on propaganda or attempt to influence legislation.
I commend your willingness to examine these concerns and to ensure that the IRS rigorously enforces the standards required of tax-exempt organizations. Tax-exempt status is a privilege granted and funded by the American people to lessen the government’s burdens. These benefits should never be used to subsidize activities that may serve the interests of hostile foreign governments whose objectives are antagonistic to those of the United States.
Thank you for your leadership and commitment to safeguarding benefits like tax exempt status from deceptive organizations that serve foreign governments. Your efforts help ensure that taxpayer-supported benefits remain dedicated to the public good and are not exploited by organizations whose activities may be inconsistent with the national interest.
Source: Senator Rick Scott