Bill Summary
The "Holy Sovereignty Protection Act" is a proposed piece of legislation aimed at safeguarding the citizenship and tax status of any American elected as the Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church. Key provisions of the bill include:
1. **Protection of U.S. Citizenship**: The legislation ensures that the citizenship of any individual elected as Supreme Pontiff cannot be revoked, thereby guaranteeing their status as a U.S. citizen regardless of their religious role.
2. **Tax-Exempt Status**: The bill also grants tax-exempt status to the elected Supreme Pontiff, meaning that they would not be subject to federal income tax for any taxable year during which they serve in this capacity, starting from taxable years ending after May 8, 2025.
Overall, the Act aims to provide legal protections and financial benefits to American citizens who assume this high religious office.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the "Holy Sovereignty Protection Act" could affect people:
1. **Impact on Religious Leadership:**
- The act ensures that any American elected as the Supreme Pontiff retains their U.S. citizenship without the risk of revocation. This provision may encourage more Americans to consider pursuing leadership roles within the Roman Catholic Church, knowing their citizenship status is secure. This could lead to an increase in American influence in the Roman Catholic Church and potentially change the dynamics of leadership within the institution.
2. **Tax Benefits for the Supreme Pontiff:**
- The legislation grants tax-exempt status to any American serving as the Supreme Pontiff during their tenure. This could result in significant financial benefits for the individual, potentially allowing them to use those resources for charitable works or church-related activities. However, it may also raise questions about the fairness of tax exemptions for a single individual, leading to public debate on tax policies and religious privileges.
3. **Implications for Other Religious Leaders:**
- The act specifically focuses on the Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, which could create a perception of preferential treatment for this particular role. This might lead to discussions or movements among leaders of other religious groups seeking similar protections or benefits, potentially altering the legislative landscape regarding religious figures and their treatment under U.S. law. It could also spark debates about the separation of church and state and how tax laws interact with religious leadership.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4501 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4501
To protect the citizenship of, and provide tax-exempt status to, any
American elected as the Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 17, 2025
Mr. Hurd of Colorado (for himself, Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania, Mrs.
Bice, Mr. Grothman, Mr. Lawler, Mr. Jack, and Mr. Fleischmann)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for
a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the
committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To protect the citizenship of, and provide tax-exempt status to, any
American elected as the Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Holy Sovereignty Protection Act''.
SEC. 2. PROTECTION OF UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP.
(a) In General.--The United States citizenship of any individual
elected as the Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church may not be
revoked.
(b) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect upon the date
of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 3. TAX-EXEMPT STATUS.
(a) In General.--In the case of any citizen of the United States,
such individual shall be exempt from taxation under subtitle A of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with respect to any taxable year any
portion of which he is serving as the Supreme Pontiff of the Roman
Catholic Church.
(b) Effective Date.--This section shall apply to taxable years
ending after May 8, 2025.
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