The Intercept reports in: “Congress Is About to Gift Trump Sweeping Powers to Crush His Political Enemies” that “The House is set to vote … on a bill that would let the administration destroy nonprofits it claims support terrorism. …
“Up for a potential fast-track vote … in the House of Representatives, the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act, also known as H.R. 9495, would grant the secretary of the Treasury Department unilateral authority to revoke the tax-exempt status of any nonprofit deemed to be a ‘terrorist supporting organization.’
“The resolution has already prompted strong opposition from a wide range of civil society groups, with more than 100 organizations signing an open letter issued by the American Civil Liberties Union in September. …
“The law would not require officials to explain the reason for designating a group, nor does it require the Treasury Department to provide evidence. …
“In the past year, accusations of support for terrorism have been freely lobbed at student protesters, aid workers in Gaza, and even mainstream publications like the New York Times. In unscrupulous hands, the powers of the proposed law could essentially turn the Treasury Department into an enforcement arm of Canary Mission and other hard-line groups dedicated to doxxing and smearing their opponents as terrorists.”
Available for interviews are two groups which have been tracking the legislation:
SUE UDRY, sue@rightsanddissent.org, @RightsDissent
Udry is executive director of Defending Rights & Dissent.
ABED AYOUB, via media@adc.org, @adc, @aayoub
Ayoub is executive director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee,