NEW: Remember the Obama IRS Tea Party Scandal? Conservatives Fear It Could Happen Again.

Many religious conservatives breathed a sigh of relief after the One Big Beautiful Bill passed in July. House Republicans caught, and wisely removed, a stealthy policy rider that could have handed the federal government sweeping powers to penalize so-called “political activity” in houses of worship and community nonprofits.

But with Congress returning from August recess, watchdogs warn that similar language could soon reappear. This time, it may be tucked into one of the many looming appropriations or rescissions packages scheduled for debate in September.

Earlier this summer, the Republican-led House Ways and Means Committee successfully struck provisions that would have authorized federal bureaucrats to unilaterally revoke the tax-exempt status of any religious organization that is found to be “politically subversive” – a vague accusation that would almost certainly have chilled free speech at churches, pro-life ministries, and community-based charities.

In a letter to lawmakers last month, over 200 faith-based and nonprofit organizations, including some geared toward veterans and local service networks, warned that the legislation posed existential risks to members who convey politically inconvenient viewpoints or who accept donations from political figures out of favor with the current Washington, D.C. establishment.

While the letter was bipartisan in origin, conservatives in particular have special cause to be wary. Recent history has been troubling for the right.

The Obama IRS infamously targeted the Tea Party and religious public figures who spoke out against the administration’s progressive priorities. Hundreds of right-of-center organizations were flagged for their names, beliefs, or associations. Applications for tax-exempt status were slow-walked, while others were bombarded with invasive demands for donor lists, member activities, and internal communications.

Lois Lerner, then head of the IRS’s tax-exempt division, infamously pleaded the Fifth during congressional testimony. A years-long investigation eventually concluded that conservative groups had been disproportionately targeted. Though the IRS issued an apology in 2017, and some groups won settlements in court, the scandal left lasting damage in its wake.

It also confirmed what many on the right already long feared: When the government gets new tools, it tends to aim them at its political enemies.

Pastor Robert Jeffress of Dallas, a longtime Trump ally and outspoken advocate for religious liberty, praised recent changes at the IRS that dilute the power of unelected officials to offer such sweeping decisions. Still, he warned that religious conservatives must remain vigilant.

“The IRS has no business dictating what can be said from the pulpit,” he said. “They need to stay the heck out of our churches. We’ve seen what happens when unelected bureaucrats think they know better than God. ”

With Congress returning to session, lawmakers are expected to take up more multi-billion dollar rescissions packages. These sweeping bills offer members on both sides of the aisle a golden opportunity to sneak in pork spending and new government powers, if voters don’t pay careful attention.

Conservative and faith leaders are urging Republicans to read the fine print – because once such governmental authority is codified into law, reversing is often far, far more difficult.