US House passes bill to punish non-profits deemed to support ‘terrorism’

Critics argue it would give Trump sweeping powers to crack down arbitrarily on his political opponents

The Republican-controlled US House on Thursday passed a bill that would give the government broad powers to punish nonprofit organizations it deems support “terrorism”.

This was the second time members voted on the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act, or HR 9495. Last week, after suspending House rules to fast-track the bill, the lower chamber failed to garner the two-thirds majority required to pass. This time, after passing the House committee on rules, the bill – requiring only a simple majority to pass – survived by a vote of 219-184. Fifteen Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the measure.