A controversial new bill passed by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives could grant President-elect Donald Trump significant power to target organizations critical of his administration. Known as the “Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act” (H.R. 9495), the legislation allows the U.S. Treasury Secretary to label nonprofits as “terrorist-supporting organizations” and revoke their tax-exempt status.
The bill passed with a vote of 219-184, with all opposition votes coming from Democrats, though 15 Democrats joined Republicans in support. Critics argue the measure could be weaponized against nonprofits that have historically challenged Trump, such as the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, the NAACP, and even nonprofit news outlets like ProPublica and Mother Jones.
Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), a vocal opponent of the bill, warned of its implications for democracy. “Authoritarianism is not born overnight — it creeps in,” Doggett said, emphasizing that current laws already adequately prevent U.S.-based organizations from supporting terrorism. He described the bill as a tool to give Trump “unlimited authority to label his opponents as terrorists.”
The legislation now moves to the Senate, where its fate remains uncertain. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has yet to announce his position, while Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) has publicly opposed the bill, echoing concerns that it could suppress dissent and chill activism.
If enacted, H.R. 9495 could mark a profound shift in how nonprofits operate, potentially silencing key voices that advocate for civil rights, reproductive health, and investigative journalism. The debate over the bill is likely to intensify as it heads toward Senate deliberation.
Source: rawstory.com
