JVP Action Condemns House Passage of Bill to Give More Authoritarian Power to Trump

Moments ago, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 9495, the so-called “Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act.” This is a far-Right bill that would grant the incoming Trump administration unprecedented and unchecked power to revoke the tax exempt status of any nonprofit organization — including social justice groups, media organizations, universities, and civil liberties organizations — based on a unilateral accusation of wrongdoing and without due process. Jewish Voice for Peace Action fought against this legislation and calls on the Senate to join the majority of their House colleagues in opposing Trump’s agenda and working to stop this authoritarian bill from moving forward.

“This bill is a five-alarm fire for anyone who seeks to protect free speech, civil society and democracy. This bill is part of a broader MAGA assault on the fundamental right to public protest that begins with attacks on Palestinian rights groups and is aimed at outlawing all social justice movements fighting for progressive change. It is shameful that the House of Representatives passed a bill that is straight out of the well-worn authoritarian playbook. The Senate must ensure that this bill to dismantle fundamental freedoms does not move forward or become law.” — Beth Miller, Political Director, Jewish Voice for Peace Action

Last week, a broad coalition of civil society organizations successfully organized to block H.R. 9495. JVP Action drove over 35,000 letters to Congressional offices in one week opposing this legislation, and during today’s vote Democrats overwhelmingly opposed the bill. H.R. 9495, including many Democrats who changed their votes to oppose due to overwhelming constituent outreach. The bill seeks to authorize broad and easily abused powers to the incoming Trump executive branch. It would grant the Secretary of the Treasury virtually unfettered discretion to strip a nonprofit of its tax-exempt status without due process. The legislation would not require disclosure of the allegations or evidence for the decision. The government would also not be required to provide any evidence in its possession that might undermine its decision, leaving an accused nonprofit entirely in the dark about what conduct the government believes qualifies as material support.

Initiatives led by the Heritage Foundation such as Project 2025 and Project Esther have clearly laid out roadmaps for how the incoming Trump administration will dismantle democracy and civil society, with Project Esther specifically naming revocation of tax-exempt status as a tool to destroy organizations that support Palestinian rights. The same extreme forces trying to ban "critical race theory" and stifle teaching about America's history of racism are now seeking to further undermine supporters of Palestinian rights, Black Lives Matter, environmentalists, labor unions and other activists.
JVP Action staff and supporters are available to speak with the media