Elder Oaks to testify on Capitol Hill

Elder Dallin H. Oaks will testify at a Senate Finance Committee hearing Tuesday about how key proposals to change the federal tax code could affect non-profits.

Elder Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will testify alongside Brian Gallagher, president of United Way Worldwide, and other government and academic experts.

During his presidency, President Barack Obama has suggested limiting tax breaks for charitable giving six times. The hearing is to discuss potential consequences of cutting back deductions for charitable giving, said Matthew Karakai, press secretary for U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, who helped to put together the lineup of speakers for the hearing.

Hatch asked Elder Oaks to speak because of the LDS Church's long history of helping the less fortunate, Karakai said.

"There's been a lot of talk about closing loop holes," Karakai said. "As tax reform goes through, we want to make sure we're not doing anything to stand in the way of folks who wish to give."

The hearing, which will take place Tuesday at 10 a.m. Eastern time, will be finance.senate.gov/hearings/ broadcast online.

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