Most Democrats withdraw support as Congress adopts controversial bill
A bill aimed at giving President-elect Donald Trump sweeping powers to target political foes has made significant progress in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The “Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act” passed on Thursday with 219-184 votes, with 15 Democrats breaking ranks to support the Republican majority.
Initially, the bill, designed to revoke the tax-exempt status of organizations allegedly supporting terrorism, had bipartisan backing.
However, concerns over its potential misuse by the incoming Trump administration caused many Democrats to reconsider.
On Nov. 12, 52 Democrats backed the bill, but by Thursday only 15 remained supportive.
Critics, including Rep. Lloyd Doggett, warn the bill could empower a future president to target opponents without due process, potentially silencing dissent.
The ACLU, Amnesty International, and other civil-society groups have voiced strong opposition, arguing the bill is vague and lacks adequate safeguards.
Republicans dismissed the concerns, attributing the shift in Democratic votes to what they described as “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”
The measure, which faces significant resistance in the Senate, could be the first step toward unprecedented executive powers if it becomes law.
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