Capture of a video posted by Rep. Elise Stefanik speaking in support of the End Zuckerbucks election bill.

Jul 16, 2021 — North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik and other congressional Republicans want to restrict non-profits from sending money to state and local election organizations. But the bill they’re supporting to do that has generated accusations of anti-Semitism

The “End Zuckerbucks Act” was introduced by NY22 Rep. Claudia Tenney and co-sponsored by NY21 Rep. Elise Stefanik. 

The name of the bill is a dig at Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. The billionaire and his wife Priscilla Chan donated 350 million dollars to a Chicago non-profit in 2020. 

That money was eventually distributed to more than 25-hundred local jurisdictions as grants to help pay for expenses related to planning the 2020 election. 

Local election directors interviewed by investigative journalism outlet APM Reports said that money was essential to making the 2020 vote happen amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

But House Republicans like Stefanik say the money represents an attempt to influence the electoral process for partisan gain.

“Sending cash and contributions directly to state and election officials, who are supposed to be neutral administrators, clearly compromises their role and shatters the confidence of voters who entrust our elections officials to carry out these important, non-partisan tasks,” said Stefanik.

The “End Zuckerbucks Act” would prohibit tax-exempt non-profit organizations from donating money directly to election administrators or risk losing that preferential status. 

But the name of the bill has produced charges of anti-semitism. 

Mark Zuckerberg is Jewish. Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt called the bill’s name an anti-Semitic trope in a statement to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

Stefanik did not directly respond to a request for comment, instead replying with a tweet. 

She called Democrats the party of anti-semites and said Republicans stand for election integrity, support Israel and condemn anti-semitism. 

A spokesperson for Zuckerberg and Chan said the couple played no part in determining which jurisdictions received grants from their donation. 

501(c)(3) non-profit organizations are already prohibited from engaging in partisan activities, including donating to political campaigns.