News Clips 1/18/2008

A Washington, DC-based nonprofit is asking the Internal Revenue Service to investigate whether a Las Vegas church violated its tax-exempt status by openly endorsing presidential hopeful Barack Obama, reports the Chronicle of Philanthropy.

An article appearing in the Washington Post reports that yesterday's meeting of the House Committee on Government Oversight and Reform featured comments from multiple House members that "they may introduce legislation aimed at helping donors better understand the finances of nonprofit groups."

The New York Times is reporting that Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa is once again asking that several high-profile televangelists comply with a Senate inquiry into the legality of the so-called "prosperity gospel," which, among other issues, allows preachers to reap the benefits of donations made to their respective church(es).