House Passes Controversial Bill Expanding Trump’s Powers

The GOP-controlled House of Representatives has passed a bill that could provide President-elect Donald Trump with sweeping new powers to target organizations that oppose him, Carl Gibson reported for AlterNet.

If enacted, the legislation would grant the US Treasury secretary authority to label any nonprofit organization as a "terrorist-supporting organization," resulting in the revocation of its tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status.

HR 9495, officially titled the "Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act," passed by a vote of 219-184.

While all Democratic "no" votes opposed the measure, 15 Democrats joined the Republican majority in supporting it, including Reps. Colin Allred (D-Texas), Yadira Caraveo (D-Colo.), Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.).

If enacted, the legislation would grant the US Treasury secretary authority to label any nonprofit organization as a "terrorist-supporting organization," resulting in the revocation of its tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status.

Such a designation could effectively cripple targeted organizations.

Critics argue the bill could be weaponized against prominent groups that opposed Trump during his first administration, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Planned Parenthood, and the Southern Poverty Law Center, as well as nonprofit media outlets like ProPublica and Mother Jones.

Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), a key opponent of the bill, warned that it would give Trump "unlimited authority to label his opponents as terrorists." He asserted that existing laws are sufficient to prevent US-based organizations from supporting terrorist groups.